Home » Business » find out about the different reimbursements for screening tests carried out abroad

find out about the different reimbursements for screening tests carried out abroad

Who says summer holidays often says trips abroad. For those concerned, a frequent question may then arise, especially in this context of the ever-present COVID-19 epidemic: what coverage for screening tests carried out abroad? First of all, it should be noted that the reimbursement by Health Insurance of a PCR or antigen test carried out abroad depends on the country in which it is carried out. Indeed, the reimbursement rate varies depending on whether it was made in a member state of the European Union, the European Economic Area or in Switzerland or made in another country. But as a reminder, only medical tests (with symptoms), urgent and unannounced are covered by health insurance organizations. Tests carried out abroad of an administrative nature for the sole purpose of returning to French territory are therefore not covered. The first scenario concerns those carried out in a Member State of the European Union (EU), of the European Economic Area (EEA), an economic union bringing together 30 European States (the 27 Member States of the EU and the Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland.

The person must then present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at the time of carrying out the test in order to benefit from the advance fee waiver. If she does not have one, the screening test is paid for by the Caisse upon return to French territory provided that she uses the teleservice in the ameli account, from the “My procedures” tab, and selects ” Reimbursement of treatment abroad”. It is also possible to complete the “form S3125 Treatment received abroad”. The health insurance states that « in both cases, you must choose either to be reimbursed according to the French tariff or according to the tariff of the country of stay. » The invoice for the test carried out as well as the medical prescription or the medical certificate must be attached as supporting documents. In the event of a choice for reimbursement according to French pricing: these screening tests are 100% covered by Health Insurance on the basis of a flat rate of 35 euros which corresponds concretely to the costs of sampling and analysis. It should be noted that in the event of non-fulfillment, it is in this case the rules of the country of realization of the test which apply.

How to proceed if you travel outside the European Union?

Before going on holiday in one of these States, it is therefore always recommended to, at least 15 days before the departure date, request your European Health Insurance Card (individual and nominative) from your Health Insurance Fund. Each member of your family must have their own, including children under 16. If the departure takes place in less than 15 days, the health insurance fund can issue a provisional replacement certificate, valid for 3 months. This document attests to the rights to health insurance and that it is possible to use it under the same conditions as the EHIC. But what is its use? The latter facilitates the coverage of medical care in Europe: it allows you to certify your rights to health insurance and to benefit from on-site coverage of medical care, according to the legislation and formalities in force in the country of stay. But be careful: only care that becomes necessary during your stay (urgent, unexpected) can be covered by the EHIC. It is valid for a maximum of 2 years from its date of issue, knowing that renewal can only be done on the expiry date of the card.

Also to discover: COVID-19: a study reveals a variation in symptoms depending on the country and the health of the inhabitants

If the test is carried out in a State outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, the organization specifies that only medical, urgent and unannounced tests will be covered up to 27% of the amount of the expense in the maximum limit of an amount of 35 euros. In addition, the request for reimbursement must be made on return to France, also via the ameli account teleservice, from the “My procedures” tab, select “Reimbursement of treatment abroad”. It is also possible to complete the “form S3125 Treatment received abroad” and send it to his health insurance fund. Added to this is the fact that in both cases, the request must be accompanied by a medical prescription dated 48 hours before the test was carried out in an EU/EEA Member State or Switzerland or by a medical certificate. To note that since July 7, 2021, unless they are of a medical nature, PCR and antigenic tests have become chargeable for foreign tourists coming to France and not residing on national territory. A foreigner can however carry out a test covered in the event of a medical prescription and if he is identified by Health Insurance as a contact case.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.