What is Universal Health Protection (UHC)?

Verified 29 October 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Universal health coverage (UHC) allows health costs to be covered without any breach of entitlement. This means that this care is provided even in the event of a change of professional, family or residence situation. To be eligible for the Puma, you must work or reside in France on a stable or regular basis. We present you with the information you need to know.

If you are working or reside in France on a stable and regular basis, Puma guarantees you a right to be paid for your health expenses, as an individual and continuously throughout your life.

Puma also allows you to stay in the same health insurance plan, including in case of:

  • Change of employment status (e.g. loss of employment)
  • Or change in personal circumstances (e.g. separation).

This avoids possible periods of disruption in your rights.

You are affected by Puma if you work or reside in France on a stable and regular basis.

Unlike a minor, if you are an adult, there is no need to be attached to an insured.

Major

If you are of age without a professional activity, you are entitled to be paid for your health expenses as an individual.

There is no need to be attached to a qualifying insured. Indeed, an adult may no longer be entitled since the establishment of the Puma.

You are insured as an individual from the moment of your majority.

You can choose to:

  • Collect refunds to your own bank account
  • Receive your own refund statement
  • Have your own Ameli account.
Minor

If you are a minor, you continue to have the status of a rights holder. In practice, you are attached to one of your parents.

However, it is possible to apply for Puma as an individual from the age of 16.

FYI  

This status of entitled party ends the year you turn 18.

There are 2 conditions related to the regularity of the residence and the stability of the residence. These 2 conditions are cumulative.

Regularity of residence

By being national of the European Economic Area and of Switzerland, you have the right to move and reside freely in France. One piece of identification or passport is sufficient.

However, if you are a national of another country, you must have a residence permit and a civil status document.

Stability of the residence

This criterion will depend on whether or not you are working:

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Pursuit of a professional activity

If you are working and your Puma application is accepted, you are immediately covered by Health Insurance.

Without pursuing a professional activity

Once in France, you have to wait 3 months before having your rights open.

These rights remain open if you live in France for at least 6 months of the year.

Warning  

This condition of stability of residence (3 months) is fulfilled without delay for some people. For example: refugees, people returning to France after a international volunteering abroad, persons who collect the RSA: titleContent or the Disabled Adult Allowance (DAA).

To apply for rights, you must first complete a form:

Claim Health Insurance Entitlements

Once this form has been completed, send it back to you (with the supporting documents presented on page 2 of the form):

  • At the CPAM: titleContent if you are dependent on the general diet
  • Or at the MSA: titleContent if you are dependent on the farm plan.
Who shall I contact

Please note

Any person who deliberately refuses to become affiliated or who persists in not committing the procedure for compulsory membership of a social security scheme shall be punishable by six months' imprisonment and a fine of €15,000, or only one of those two penalties.

Yes, the Puma can be withdrawn if you no longer meet the conditions of stability of the residence or regularity of the stay.

Thus, you must spontaneously declare your departure abroad. To do this, you fill out this form.

Declaration of transfer of residence outside France

Once you have completed this form, send it back to you:

  • At the CPAM: titleContent if you are dependent on the general diet
  • Or at the MSA: titleContent if you are dependent on the farm plan.
Who shall I contact

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