I have a vivid memory of going through a horrific cattle call health screening in Paris in 2002 that was for non-EU migrants. French ladies screaming orders at everyone in French to take off our shirts, being marched around bare chested in front of everyone, roughly questioned “vous etes enceinte?” ARE YOU PREGNANT” at the last second before being ex rayed for TB. The wonen who didn’t understand the question were roughly patted about the belly and asked PAS DE BEBE? ( no baby in there?). Then handed films of our lungs and told to take them across town to some other office within the day or no dice. It was wild. Glad things have improved (or maybe it’s just París?).
WOW! That reminds me of every movie I've seen about men being drafted and walking down a line where they're jabbed, x-rayed, cupped-and-coughed, and finally have their heads shaved. My experience was nothing like that. They may tailor the screening based on origin - I had a record of my TB vaccination and come from a country where the disease was for the most part extinct. Immigrants from other countries might undergo different treatment, but I didn't witness or hear anything like what you describe.
I’m white and North American, but the majority of the women in there with me were from African nations and there were racist overtones for sure. It was also 20+ years ago. A lot has shifted with French culture over the last couple of decades. On a side note, the older guard at the offices were I would get my visas renewed never checked women’s purses for weapons, only men’s jackets, because, as he proudly announced each time I went through, he never bothered with women because “ladies” never caused trouble and he wanted to preserve the “privacy of our handbags.”Immigration admin is weird and unpredictable everywhere, I think.
What a crazy world the US Healthcare sustem is. The only industrialized nation without Universal Healthcare. We are ranked as follow based on International Citizens Insurance:
I had not seen that list. I'd be curious to see their criteria - was it strictly affordability? Outcomes? Access? Research and new technology/treatment?
Thanks for this and welcome to French healthcare. When we first qualified I had a hard time accepting that there were things I didn’t have to pay for. Our friendly pharmacist would wave my wallet away after filling my prescriptions. After years of fighting with US insurance companies for coverage, I was inured to expecting a painful bill as part of every test or procedure. Now they are considering a healthcare fee here for foreign visa holders. I think it might be a good thing as the money will go to providers and not shareholders.
We'd be all for a fee, but we do pay property tax, we'll probably have to start paying the income tax this year, and we pay a LOT of sales/VAT tax since we have been setting up a household. I have no problem paying a fee, but would hope there's an exception if you're actually paying significant taxes as a long term visitor.
Bonjour Roberto. You may find this video interesting. It’s a balanced analysis of the so-called “healthcare fee” that’s been making the big news here this month. You’ll likely hear about it at various social gatherings in the next few months in France. Enjoy your stay! https://youtu.be/Z1pqonjUmi0?si=_Ro6h9KA5BqZ4NBh
Yes please send your recommendations and experience with a healthcare advisor. My retirement is 2 yrs. out and will have 5 years self-insured until I'm eligible for MediCare.
My sister, who lives in Germany, pays for private insurance with a cohort of other legal professionals. She recently lost her job and was freaking out about losing that private option if she didn't find another job above the salary requirement. She made it sound like the state insurance in Germany was awful and has told me many stories of how grateful she was to have her private insurance when giving birth to her two kids and when she had issues. Would love to hear your thoughts!
I have a vivid memory of going through a horrific cattle call health screening in Paris in 2002 that was for non-EU migrants. French ladies screaming orders at everyone in French to take off our shirts, being marched around bare chested in front of everyone, roughly questioned “vous etes enceinte?” ARE YOU PREGNANT” at the last second before being ex rayed for TB. The wonen who didn’t understand the question were roughly patted about the belly and asked PAS DE BEBE? ( no baby in there?). Then handed films of our lungs and told to take them across town to some other office within the day or no dice. It was wild. Glad things have improved (or maybe it’s just París?).
WOW! That reminds me of every movie I've seen about men being drafted and walking down a line where they're jabbed, x-rayed, cupped-and-coughed, and finally have their heads shaved. My experience was nothing like that. They may tailor the screening based on origin - I had a record of my TB vaccination and come from a country where the disease was for the most part extinct. Immigrants from other countries might undergo different treatment, but I didn't witness or hear anything like what you describe.
I’m white and North American, but the majority of the women in there with me were from African nations and there were racist overtones for sure. It was also 20+ years ago. A lot has shifted with French culture over the last couple of decades. On a side note, the older guard at the offices were I would get my visas renewed never checked women’s purses for weapons, only men’s jackets, because, as he proudly announced each time I went through, he never bothered with women because “ladies” never caused trouble and he wanted to preserve the “privacy of our handbags.”Immigration admin is weird and unpredictable everywhere, I think.
Thank you so much for this. We are in the same spot as you, we’ll be needing coverage for part of the year.
Be sure to write to us if you make any major discoveries!
Will do! Community is how we do it!
What a crazy world the US Healthcare sustem is. The only industrialized nation without Universal Healthcare. We are ranked as follow based on International Citizens Insurance:
The Best Healthcare in the World:
1.Singapore
2.Japan
3.South Korea
4.Taiwan
5.China
6.Israel
7. Norway
8. Iceland
9.Sweden
10.Switzerland
11. Netherlands
12.Luxembourg
13.Germany
14.Hong Kong
15. Finland
16. Denmark
17. Italy
18. Belgium
19. Malta
20. France
21. Australia
22. Austria
23. Ireland
24. Slovenia
25. New Zealand
26.Spain
27. Cuba
28. Czech Republic
29. Cyprus
30.Costa Rica
31. Thailand
32. Canada
33. UAE
34. United Kingdom
35. Uruguay
36. Colombia
37. Estonia
38. Qatar
39. Seychelles
40.Portugal
41. Greece
42. Malaysia
43. Kuwait
44. Vietnam
45. Slovakia
46. Hungary
47. Sri Lanka
48. Poland
49. Uzbekistan
50. Bahrain
Chile
Peru
Croatia
Turkmenistan
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Panama
Iran
Latvia
Argentina
Lithuania
Belarus
Turkey
Trinidad and Tobago
Bulgaria
Albania
Jamaica
Armenia
69. United States
Algeria
Mexico
Romania
Cabo Verde
Macedonia
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan
Nicaragua
Tunisia
Serbia
Mauritius
Ecuador
Brazil
Russia
Azerbaijan
Morocco
Indonesia
Paraguay
Dominican Republic
Georgia
Belize
Cambodia
Moldova
São Tomé and Príncipe
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Philippines
Venezuela
El Salvador
Honduras
Jordan
Ukraine
Lebanon
Montenegro
Guatemala
I had not seen that list. I'd be curious to see their criteria - was it strictly affordability? Outcomes? Access? Research and new technology/treatment?
Thanks for this and welcome to French healthcare. When we first qualified I had a hard time accepting that there were things I didn’t have to pay for. Our friendly pharmacist would wave my wallet away after filling my prescriptions. After years of fighting with US insurance companies for coverage, I was inured to expecting a painful bill as part of every test or procedure. Now they are considering a healthcare fee here for foreign visa holders. I think it might be a good thing as the money will go to providers and not shareholders.
We'd be all for a fee, but we do pay property tax, we'll probably have to start paying the income tax this year, and we pay a LOT of sales/VAT tax since we have been setting up a household. I have no problem paying a fee, but would hope there's an exception if you're actually paying significant taxes as a long term visitor.
Bonjour Roberto. You may find this video interesting. It’s a balanced analysis of the so-called “healthcare fee” that’s been making the big news here this month. You’ll likely hear about it at various social gatherings in the next few months in France. Enjoy your stay! https://youtu.be/Z1pqonjUmi0?si=_Ro6h9KA5BqZ4NBh
i just watched it - that was great! Thank you for sharing it. I completely agree with them.
A lot has been said (and written) on this topic. I find their video informative and quite balanced in tone.
Yes please send your recommendations and experience with a healthcare advisor. My retirement is 2 yrs. out and will have 5 years self-insured until I'm eligible for MediCare.
My sister, who lives in Germany, pays for private insurance with a cohort of other legal professionals. She recently lost her job and was freaking out about losing that private option if she didn't find another job above the salary requirement. She made it sound like the state insurance in Germany was awful and has told me many stories of how grateful she was to have her private insurance when giving birth to her two kids and when she had issues. Would love to hear your thoughts!