L'aide médicale de l'État (AME)

What is AME?

It covers 100% of your medical and hospital care, within the limits of Social Security rates, and without paying in advance:

•    medical and dental care;
•    medicines reimbursed at 100%, 65% or 30%;
•    laboratory test charges;
•    hospitalisation and surgical charges;
•    charges for some vaccinations and screening tests;
•    charges for contraception, etc.

The AME is granted for a year.
It can be renewed on request each year as long as the eligibility criteria are met.

Find more details in this flyer:

https://www.ameli.fr/sites/default/files/Documents/Flyer-assurance-maladie-AME-anglais.pdf

You can be eligible for AME:

•    if you have been living in France for more than 3 months;
•    if you have no residence permit for more than 3 months;
•    if your household’s income does not exceed the ceiling set by Assurance Maladie.

Children under the age of 18 are automatically eligible for AME even if they do not meet the 3-month residence requirement and/or their parents are not eligible.

How to submit your application ?

For a first application, your Demande d'aide médicale de l'État (AME) (PDF) form and supporting documents must be submitted in person in a CPAM office.To seek help in filling out your AME application, you can contact either a social worker or make an appointment to your local CPAM.
If your application is granted, you will receive a letter in order to pick up your card.
For your medical cares, you will have to show this card in order to be exempted from upfront costs. Find out more about 100% coverage of healthcare costs with AME.

Renewal of your AME entitlement is not automatic: you must submit a new application within two months prior to the expiry of your entitlement.

How can I find out the status of my AME application?

If you do not receive an answer from CPAM within two months of submitting your application (even if it is incomplete), this means that your AME application has been rejected.
If your application is refused, you have two months after refusal notification to lodge an informal appeal with your CPAM (the appeal procedures are available in the refusal letter received).

What should I do if my residence status changes?

If you are entitled with AME and finally obtain a residence permit in France, you will no longer be eligible for AME but you will then be entitled to PUMa (Protection universelle maladie) (either through your employment or through your permanent residence in France). You may also be eligible for the Complémentaire santé solidaire, if you fill in the conditions.
In the opposite situation, if you are eligible for PUMa and your residence permit expires, your entitlement will be ended but you may be eligible for AME, depending on your incomes.

Can I obtain a Vitale card or EHIC with AME?

No, AME does not entitle you to a Vitale card or European Health Insurance Card.

You will find further useful information on these websites:

ameli.fr : https://www.ameli.fr/assure/droits-demarches/situations-particulieres/situation-irreguliere-ame
service-public.fr : https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F3079

Have a nice day.