The ‘orange’ vignettes appear to have made a return after a two year absence.

As of 1st April 2010, the re-imbursement for certain medicines that fall in this category are being reduced to 15%.

It is part of the French government bid to cut the health system budget by around €145 million.

These medicines are apparently deemed “médicament de confort”.

“Fraude Caisses d’allocations familiales: mise en garde contre la circulation de faux courriels”*
The Caisses d’allocations familiales (CAF) are warning against fake emails being sent out asking for passwords and, in some cases, even credit card and bank details.

It goes without stating that should you receive such emails, delete them, and do not respond, but if you have responded to any such emails then you should change your pin immediately through "Mon Compte" on the CAF website www.caf.fr  and inform your bank to “make an opposition”**.

More details can be found here:

http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/001396.html?xtor=RSS-66

If you think your bank or credit card details have been stolen or improperly used, then please refer to the following website:

http://www.voslitiges.com/banque/f31.html

**“Pour réagir vite il convient de préparer les informations indispensables pour faire opposition: numéro de téléphone du centre de mise en opposition, le numéro de votre carte bancaire, sa date d'expiration, le numéro de téléphone de votre agence.”

*www.service-public.fr

There are some changes concerning the amount of financial help for top-up insurance (Aide Complémentaire Santé - ACS) given to those whose income is slightly over the ceiling for them to claim CMU-C.

If your income exceeds the CMU-C ceiling under 20%, you should be able to claim ‘Aide Complémentaire Santé’.

Details in French can be found here: Click Here

More changes for expats in France – CEAM/EHIC: E121 holders and E109 Dependants

It seems that as of 1st March 2010 all citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, where they take up residence in another relevant State and where they have secured their right to health care following their entitlement to receive the issue of E121 (and those dependants of an E109 holder) and where they have registered the E121 (E109) will, as from the above date, now be required to apply for their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the ‘competent’ State.