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Mutuelle Royaume-Uni: how to choose the best option?

If you’ve decided to live in the UK, in London for example, it’s important to think about your health cover. Although the NHS (National Health Service) offers basic care, many expatriates prefer to turn to complementary international health insurance to make up for the limitations of the British system. To ensure that your healthcare needs are fully covered, we recommend that you choose a mutuelle adapted to your situation. It will also give you the peace of mind to make the most of your expatriation.

The National Health Service (NHS)

The UK’s public health system, the National Health Service (NHS), operates in much the same way as France’s Sécurité Sociale. The universal healthcare system covers basic medical expenses for permanent residents. This includes GP consultations, hospitalization and some specialist care. Certain costs, such as prescriptions or dental care, remain the responsibility of the patient. This is the case, for example, for medical prescriptions, dental care and optical consultations.

Although the NHS is accessible to all permanent residents, including expatriates, it faces a number of major challenges. Delays in obtaining an appointment with a GP or specialist can be very long, sometimes several months. The choice of practitioners is also limited. You have to go through your GP to see a specialist. Faced with these limitations, many French-speaking residents and expatriates are turning to alternatives in order to benefit from faster care tailored to their needs.

Private health insurance

Faced with the limitations of the NHS, many expatriates decide to take out private health insurance. An international health insurance policy offers faster access to care, and greater flexibility in the choice of practitioners and facilities. It can also provide greater comfort, particularly during hospitalization. However, it’s important to note that private-sector care is often very expensive. For example, a consultation with a private GP can cost between £75 and £250, and surgical procedures can run into several thousand pounds.

Options for French expatriates

French expatriates in the UK have several options to ensure they are properly covered.

• Public system (NHS): As a permanent resident, an expatriate can access NHS services. However, due to the constraints this may represent, this option may not be sufficient to cover all medical needs.
• Local private health insurance: Known as Private Medical Insurance (PMI), this provides faster access to private care. However, it may restrict the choice of practitioners to a specific network. It generally does not cover dental, optical or maternity care.
• International health insurance: International health insurance offers extensive coverage. Depending on your contract, it may include or offer dental, optical and maternity care as optional extras. They also offer greater geographical flexibility, covering care in the UK, when traveling abroad or returning to France.
• Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE ): French expatriates can join the CFE. This ensures continuity with the social security system in France. However, reimbursements are calculated on the basis of French rates, which are lower than medical costs in the UK. It is therefore advisable to take out supplementary insurance. Santexpat.fr, the UK’s leading CFE insurer, offers an exclusive solution to cover you as effectively as possible.

Choosing the right health cover

The choice of health cover depends on a number of factors, including the length of your stay abroad, your family composition and your budget. It’s important to assess your needs and compare the different offers available. Comparators such as Santexpat.fr give you a global overview of what’s on the market. Taking out an international health insurance policy can give you peace of mind. It will guarantee you rapid, high-quality access to care.

Although the NHS provides an accessible basis for care, its limitations prompt many residents and expatriates to consider complementary solutions. An assessment of your healthcare needs and available options is important to ensure adequate medical cover in the UK for you and your family.