What is the European Health Insurance Card (CEAM)?
A sort of European vital card for stays abroad
The European Health Insurance Card (CEAM) is a kind of European vital card: it allows benefit from medical care during a temporary stay In another country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEE) or in Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same price as the insured of the country visited.
A card provided by the CPAM
It is a Nominative and individual card, freeissued by health insurance (CPAM, MSA, etc.). It attests to the rights to health insurance of its holder and makes it possible to facilitate the management of medically necessary care during a stay abroad. It does not replace additional travel insurance.
Is it mandatory to have a European health insurance card (CEAM)?
Ceam is not compulsory, but highly recommended For travel to Europe, because it avoids complex steps and unpleasant financial surprises in the event of a health problem abroad. Without it, it is necessary to advance all the medical costs and make a request for reimbursement on its return.
In which countries is the European health insurance card valid?
Countries that accept CEAM: EU, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom …
Anyone affiliated with health insurance in France can request a European free health insurance card before a stay in Europe. It is accepted in The 27 European Union member statesbut also :
- in Iceland;
- at Liechtenstein;
- in Norway;
- in Switzerland;
- In the United Kingdom (from Brexit, CEAM is still accepted for temporary stays, such as holidays, studies, professional trips).
Countries that do not accept CEAM: Australia, Canada, Morocco, United States …
On the other hand, CEAM is not valid in countries outside the EU and EEE (European Economic Area), such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Turkey, Morocco, China, Brazil, etc. In these countries, private travel insurance should be taken out to be covered in the event of a health problem.
What is the difference between the vital card and the European health insurance card?
The vital card is used Only in France ; It allows you to attest to your rights to health insurance with French health professionals. The CEAM is valid in the EU countries, the EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and allows you to attest to your health insurance rights during a temporary stay abroad.
In summary, a vital card is used in France to simplify your reimbursements, while CEAM is used in Europe to guarantee access to care under conditions similar to those of local insured.
How does the CEAM work?
Upon presentation of CEAM in the country of stay, health professionals can apply local care:
- Either care is directly supportedOn site (if the country provides for a third party).
- Either the holder must pay, then request the refund upon his return to France (by providing invoices and supporting documents to the CPAM).
How to get a European or international vital card?
Order a European health insurance card for each family member
Nominative, the European health insurance card is specific to each family member. It is therefore advisable to request it for everyone, including children under the age of 16. CEAM’s request must be made at least 20 days before departure. In an emergency, it is possible to obtain a provisional certificate valid for three months.
Make a request from CEAM on the Ameli.fr site
CEAM’s request is free and can be made in several ways. For insured persons relating to the general scheme (CPAM), they can request it via the “My procedures” section, then “order a European health insurance card” on their online space Ameli.fr. The card is sent within ten to fifteen days .
By phone
THE 3646 (free service +price of a local call) from Monday to Friday, is the French call number to request a European health insurance card. An advisor helps to make the request or obtain a provisional replacement card if the departure is imminent.
European dematerialized health insurance card
From the official AMELI application(Available on Android and iOS), it is possible to order a CEAM in a simple way. This allows access to a dematerialized version of the card, immediately available on the application, even before receiving the physical version.
Repeat a European health insurance card
It is possible to make the request from the expiration date of the card Or up to two month before If the planned stay exceeds the remaining validity. The idea is to launch the renewal before departure, ideally a few weeks in advance. The procedure is then the same as for a first request.
What is the deadline for obtaining a European health insurance card?
Deadline to receive your European vital card
Once the request has been validated (online, by phone or at the counter), CEAM is sent by post to the insured home, domicile in a Average time of ten to fifteenworking days . In times of high demand (school holidays, summer, etc.), this period can be slightly elongated.
In the event of imminent departure (less than 15 days)
Those who leave within 15 days and who have not received their CEAM can obtain a provisional replacement certificate (CPR), delivered immediately. It has the same legal value as the CEAM and is accepted in the same countries (EU, EEE, Switzerland, United Kingdom).
How long is the European health insurance card valid?
European card: Validity duration
There European Health Insurance Card (CEAM) is valid for two years maximum From its date of delivery, whatever the duration of your stay in Europe (holidays, studies, internship, business travel, etc.). The end of validity date is printed directly on the map.
Provisional replacement certificate: Validity duration
The CPR is valid for three months from its date of issue. It is nominative and valid only for the person concerned by the certificate. It is not automatically renewable: if the CEAM does not return to the insured within this period, it will have to make a new request for a card or CPR.
How to be reimbursed for care done abroad?
Thanks to the European Health Insurance Card, access to care in the country of stay is direct, without prior approach. The insured has the choice to be reimbursed on the basis of French social security rates or those of the country of stay.
Procedures for settlement of care abroad
Depending on the service, the methods of paying medical costs are as follows:
- If care is free for the insured of the country of stay, they will also be for the French insured without any sum to move forward.
- If care is paid, the insured must advance medical costs and request their reimbursementEither directly on site, with the country’s health insurance organization, or back in France.
In the latter hypothesis, the card holder must keep the supporting documents for care and payment to provide them to health insurance accompanied by the CERFA form n ° 12267.
Care reimbursement request
The request for reimbursement can be carried out online from the Ameli account. Please note, only medically necessary care is affected by CEAM such as chronic diseases, pregnancy or childbirth. The programmed care is excluded as well as private care.
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