Anyone registered with the CPAM recently?

General Discussion
1

I only ask because I’m trying to sign my husband up for PUMA.
When we first came to France many moons ago, he was in the Sécu but for years now he’s been fully covered by private health insurance through my employer.
My employer wants him to shift to the Sécu (they consider he no longer qualifies as my “dependant”).

He submitted a demande d’ouverture de droits over 2 months ago and no response so I called the CPAM this week. They called me back and said he was an “inactif européen” and that the matter could not be decided locally. It would be referred to the “Mission nationale” and they were “débordés” so there was no knowing when we would get an answer. The lady also didn’t seem to think it was a foregone conclusion he would be accepted.

Anyone else encountered this? I seem to recall having no problems whatsoever when we registered with the Sécu years ago. Before switching to private.

2

My wife’s form is in and has been for about 2 months. No response yet so this isn’t really very helpful.

3

It’s reassuring, though, John. Thanks. I’ll report back if/when we have any news.
I put down his nationality as Irish which in retrospect was probably a mistake because they might now ask for proof he’s not entitled to an S1 from the Irish. He’s barely set foot in Ireland let alone worked there so he’s not in the system and couldn’t even apply for an S1.

I could try explaining if necessary that before coming to France he lived and worked in the UK. DWP would presumably provide confirmation he’s not eligible for an S1 if he asked. He has a UK NI number, etc.

4

If it were me, I would get ahead of it and ask the UK for an S1 refusal anyway. It only takes a few days to get one.

5

Good thinking.
Am slightly confused as to whom to contact. Any ideas? DWP or NHS Overseas Healthcare Services or HMRC?

6

DWP overseas could bd good first step. They answer their phone.

I have always been told that international applications are handled in Belfort (but then we live in the east).

People coming here now are advised by expat groups that it can take up to a year to open rights with CPAM, so don’t panic yet.

7

NHS overseas (s1applications@nhsbsa.nhs.uk) you’re asking for a legislation letter confirming that you’re not eligible for an S1 and you need to provide the following details:

full name
date of birth
National Insurance (NI) number
NHS Number
contact number and email address
nationality
Last UK address

If you do Facebook then you can follow NHS Overseas Healthcare Services and they provide updates on the backlog, which is usually quite short.

1 Like
8

I spoke to them a few days ago.

They were exceptionally efficient and helpful.

I rang +44 191 218 1999.

As I recall, the lady I spoke to was wearing a purple wig.

9

Many thanks to you all.

As long as my employer doesn’t start getting twitchy, I don’t mind how long it takes.

10

Are you sure you didn’t accidentally phone the Psilocybin Addicts Helpline? :smiley:

11

If he’s working in the UK, eg as a frontalier, then it’s HMRC that needs to be asked to issue an S1 not the DWP - DWP doea retirement based ones and I am not sure what else but definitely anyone applying on the basis of current UK employment needs to request HMRC for their S1.

Provided you’re documented eg with recent (eg guessing - dated within past 3 months) S1 refusal from any country they could possibly consider could be responsible, and provided you can walk in with a reassuring dossier ready in your hand :slight_smile: I have found it best to do whatever I can with an appointment at that organisation.

12

He’s inactif, which implies that he’s not working anywhere nor picking up a state pension, so still NHS for his S1 refusal.

13

That’s correct. He’s not working and not drawing a pension.

14

Just a little update.

After submitting a “demande d’ouverture de droits” nearly 3 months ago, complete with requested supporting docs, I received another letter last night.
This said my husband was an “inactif européen” and asked us to complete a “recherche de droits” questionnaire and provide the following:

A copy of my husband’s private health insurance with details of coverage

All my payslips for the past 12 months and proof of any other income I received

5 years of avis d’imposition

5 years of taxe d’habitation bills (we no longer receive these so I am sending 5 years of taxe foncière bills)

Proof of my all income received by my husband over the past 12 months

Bank statements for all our bank accounts, French and foreign, covering the past 6 months

The completed “recherche de droits” questionnaire

A copy of my husband’s passport

An RIB

A copy of his Russian birth certificate (in the original language)

A copy of our Russian marriage certificate (in the original language)

I am literally drowning in paperwork.
For good measure, I will also send confirmation of refusal of the S1 from the Irish and the British .

15

Hmmm, a lot of that I couldn’t supply. :thinking:

16

I’ll let you know how I get on John.

I THINK all the stuff about proof of income is just so they can ascertain that the household income is above a certain level, so the applicant can join PUMA based on residence. Am hoping my payslips alone will be enough to show that, and that we don’t seriously have to show every penny of interest earned, etc.
This is going to be one humungous dossier, once compiled. Think I’ll send it by Chronopost because it will contain copies of our most sensitive information.