It was a campaign promise! The mayor of Istres François Bernardini launches the first communal mutual insurance company in the department. Only the town of Tholonet near Aix-en-Provence has already experienced this. After the one-euro canteen and the energy checks, the mayor wants to give a boost in purchasing power inhabitants. Mutual insurance at an attractive price and with good health coverage thanks to direct negotiation between the city and SOLIMUT. From Tuesday, March 1, all residents who wish can join this mutual. Nothing compulsory of course! In the coming days, the town hall of Istres will launch a major information campaign to inform the inhabitants.
Special rates, negotiated directly between the town hall and Solimut
For Karine Mearelli, head of health projects at Solimut France, this means preferential rates which were negotiated directly with the town hall. The mutual relies on volume to lower its prices ” 15% less for individuals, 40% less for families and 50% less for seniors compared to market prices, competition. These are preferential rates that have been negotiated with the emphasis on dental, optical and audio care”. “This offer is of course optionalthere is no obligation, but if some residents want to join us, we take care of all the termination procedures with their current mutual insurance company” adds Karine Mearelli. In addition, membership fees are free and there is no health questionnaire to complete.
Residents rather seduced by this idea of communal mutual insurance
In the streets of the city, the inhabitants met say they are all ready to study the conditions of the contracts offered by Solimut. All come to the same conclusion. Mutuals are too expensive and above all, the out-of-pocket payments are more and more important. 70-year-old Gracienne and her 73-year-old husband Jacques pay 246 euros per month to them from them for their mutual insurance. Both recognize that they are obliged to give up certain treatments, which are too expensive and not sufficiently reimbursed. This is the case for optical and dental expenses. “To change my pair of glasses, I had for 600 euros. I ask myself the question of not changing. 600 euros for glasses is much too expensive”. Her husband can’t get new braces. He is forced to eat on one side and bite his lip “This is not a life” he laments. “I’ve contributed all my life and today I can’t even pay for my medication, it’s not normal, it’s a shame!”
Residents who wish to find out more can go to the Solimut agency located at 13 boulevard Jean Marie L’Huillier in Istres. A telephone number is also available to them: 0.800.13.20.00.
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