Table of content
I.Reimbursement of health care chargesThe JSIS
II. Discussion on the need for insurance
III. Criteria on which to base a choice of health insurance to supplement the JSIS[1]
- What financial risk?
- When to take out insurance?
- What kind of insurance?
- Financial level of supplementary cover
- Insurance for life or not
- Annual premium irrespective of age or variable premium depending on age
- Cover of treatment required following an accident
- Further considerations
- Specific accident insurance for pensioners and partners[2] by AIACE
- Comprehensive insurance – death and disability by Afiliatys
VI. Assistance when travelling abroad
- Assistance by Afiliatys and AIACE when travelling abroad
- Assistance included in some the health supplementary insurance policies
VII. Comparison tables of supplementary health insurance policies
VIII. Annex: Extracts from Staff Regulations and JSIS rules
IX. References
I. Reimbursement of health care charges
There are four sources from which officials and other agents of the European Institutions may obtain partial or total reimbursement of their health care charges. These are:
- The Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme – JSIS (Staff Regulations)
- Accident insurance (Staff Regulations or to be subscribed)
- Schemes supplementary to the JSIS (to be subscribed)
- Assistance schemes for coverage whilst abroad (to be subscribed)
1. The JSIS (Staff Regulations)
The JSIS[3] enshrined in Staff Regulations for officials and other agents of the Institutions provides for a theoretical reimbursement of between 80% and 85% of the cost of treatment in the case of sickness, hospital stays, analyses, medicines and so on, whether the official is in active service or retired or in disability.
The reimbursement can be 100% in the case of serious illness duly recognised by the JSIS.
The JSIS has established ceilings for a good many treatments and there are also exclusions and rules on excessively high fees. These rules can reduce reimbursements, especially when care and treatment is given in countries outside the European Union.
Recourse to Article 72(3) on special reimbursement limits the risk of a 15% or 20% reduction in a reimbursement where high medical costs are involved: the excess cannot exceed the sum of half a basic monthly salary in a given year. But one must not forget the ceiling, the exclusions and reductions for excessively high costs.
Accident insurance (Staff Regulations)
The Staff Regulations (Art 73) provide for high complementary cover for officials in active employment who are involved in occupational accidents and those occurring in private life: reimbursement of medical care costs is at 100% and may also provide a lump sum if the accident results in permanent disability (partial or total) or death.
Retired staff or those on permanent or temporary disability allowances[4] and those on leave on personal grounds (LPG/CCP), the partners of active staff and children are not covered by this statutory supplementary accident insurance. But JSIS always reimburses medical care given as a result of an accident as if it were for an illness (i.e. 80% or 85% with ceilings, exclusions and possible reductions for excessive costs). JSIS would however not provide any compensation in case of disability or death after an accident.
A specific supplementary accident insurance is offered by Cigna (negotiated by AIACE – framework contract) to pensioners, to the colleagues in disability and to spouses of retired staff (and hopefully to children in the future). It includes: a capital in case of death, a capital in case of permanent total or partial disability, it supplements at 100% (no limitation) the medical care expenses reimbursed by JSIS as if it were an illness.
A death and permanent total disability (as a result of accident or illness) insurance policy is also offered by Afiliatys for officials (up to 65), for partners and for children
3. Supplementary insurance
Any member of the JSIS may take out a private health insurance policy for himself and his family – a policy that would top-up the JSIS reimbursements so as to provide more or less 100% cover depending on the treatment and on the general conditions of the policy.
Such supplementary insurance, which may be individual or collective, is offered by well-known companies such as Allianz BE, Cigna, DKV (LALUX) and FOYER Global Health Luxembourg; Allianz Worldwide Care; Expat & Co. All these companies are familiar with JSIS rules.
In general, they cover, with certain limits, that portion of the bill for medical care not covered by the JSIS. Some of them reimburse hospital stays at 100%. Others simply reimburse 20% or 15% of the bill along the theoretical rules of JSIS
All follow the JSIS rules in the matter of care provided as a result of an accident, reimbursing as if it were an illness and depending on the conditions set out in the contract. Options exist which exclude the accident for the affiliates covered by a specific accident insurance policy.
Annual premiums vary greatly according to the coverage but, for supplementary hospitalisation policies, the annual premium is generally between €70 and €300, depending on age.
These policies to supplement JSIS can differ considerably as regards health care cover and there are often limits on care outside the European Economic Area (EEA).
4. Assistance schemes
As we have said, the JSIS and the supplementary schemes sometimes have serious limitations when it comes to reimbursing care outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or in countries where the medical care costs are high (USA, Switzerland, Norway). One must also be careful about the high cost of “private medicine” in certain countries such as Italy or the United Kingdom. Several supplementary insurance companies limit their reimbursements to €25,000 per year outside the EEA and in particular in the USA.
The JSIS does not reimburse the cost of repatriating its members who fall ill when abroad and, since most supplementary insurance companies follow JSIS rules, they do not take repatriation into account either.
Anyone who requires cover when travelling outside the European Union or even just outside his country of residence should take out an “Assistance” insurance, which provides cover for repatriation and for emergency treatment on the spot, in all countries visited, up to the sum of €1,000,000 or even with no limit.
PMO stresses the need for such an assistance insurance policy: too many colleagues come back home with huge bills that the PMO cannot reimburse correctly.
Several credit cards provide assistance schemes but it is essential to read and take note of the general conditions, limits and exclusions before you rely them !
II. Discussion on the need for insurance
There are no ‘free lunches’! The amounts paid by the insurers for expenses are never paid ‘by the insurance company’ but by the other policy holders! The insurance industry and social security schemes have very different, if not opposing, objectives.
If someone were not to take out a policy but were to place the equivalent of the insurance premium on a deposit account, that person would soon put together a small capital sum. This sum would cover the residual risk not covered by JSIS or by Article 72(3) (half of a monthly salary or pension – annex). The person concerned would become his own insurer.
To be noted is that an insurance policy premium has to cover the VAT of 9.25 % in Belgium, administrative and management costs and the profit of the insurance company.
This discussion does not in any way suggest that insurance policies are useless, because there are financial, psychological and cultural dimensions which lead some people to prefer the certainty of such a policy. The administrative simplicity and prompt reimbursement provided by supplementary insurance companies is an advantage, a real comfort. Some people may feel it necessary or may simply wish to take out a policy to cover less frequent, but more costly, risks.
In addition to the basic considerations above, we must weigh up the annual premium versus financial risk factors. The relation of one to the other can be very favourable if we content ourselves with the annual coverage of high risks (major risks), for example with a policy with an annual premium of €70-300, depending on age, to cover all hospitalisation and related expenses.
It can be less favourable if we want all medical expenses covered – for example: annual premium up to €2,200, depending on the level of supplementary reimbursement and the age of the person insured.
Supplementary insurance in the second case would seem somewhat unjustified, considering the limiting risk factor given by Article 72(3)[5], except where the person concerned is in receipt of a high monthly salary or pension and knows that his or her average annual medical expenses are going to be high too.
Elderly members of the JSIS frequently have to cover high annual non-reimbursed expenses (more than the half month’s salary or pension) due to various conditions not being recognised by the JSIS as a serious illness (which would be reimbursed up to 100%).
The non-refund is 15-20% (or more due to limitations).
The 2015 JSIS report speaks of an average annual reimbursement of € 7,000 over 70 years of age and € 12,000 over age 80. This non-reimbursement, for capped services (eg specialist visit, physiotherapy) is in 2020 of only 64% (ref. CGAM).
The 2020 report confirms: *COVID effect ?
| Year | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Average reimbursement for active staff (€) | 2.435 | 2.593 | 3.064 | 3.098 | 3.054 | 2.753* |
| Average reimbursement for retired staff (€) | 6.384 | 6.030 | 5.823 | 6.068 | 6.038 | 6.204 |
A knee prosthesis with revalidation in hospital easily leads to non-reimbursement of 5,000 €.
Hence, supplementary insurance can be called for. We have to look objectively at the level of cover in relation to the annual premium.
III. Criteria on which to base a choice of health insurance policies to supplement the JSIS[6]
1. What financial risk?
Article 72(3) of the Staff Regulations states that the financial risk is, at the most, equivalent to half of one month’s salary or half of one month’s pension in any given year. Special reimbursement in that case depends on the family composition (see annex).
However, one must bear in mind that there are ceilings and possible exclusions under JSIS rules. PMO can also apply Art. 20.1. in case of excessive costs. There are also limits regarding certain types of care (cf. Article 8(2) of the rules – Reference 13).
Therefore, the risk could be greater than half of a monthly basic salary or pension.
2. When to take out insurance?
More often than not, a medical questionnaire has to be completed to obtain supplementary health insurance. A young applicant is generally accepted without any reservation. An applicant aged 65 with pre-existing conditions, is liable to be offered insurance with reservations or exclusions, or be obliged to agree to pay an extra premium – or be refused altogether for the conditions in question.
One could conclude that it is wise to take out insurance when still very young. However, one could pay for this insurance for years without any return.
JSIS statistics show however that for the age range 30-35 years, the average amount not reimbursed is statistically around €330, much higher than the annual premium of basic supplementary cover.
3. What kind of insurance?
The insurance policies to supplement JSIS are offered to officials of the European Institutions to be considered as expatriates. Such policies do not depend on national rules. They are tailored to supplement the JSIS.
Several possibilities are to be considered:
- Collective[7] or individual insurance?
Collective insurance (or framework contract) is negotiated by the association covering the potential interests of members of that association (e.g. AFILIATYS and AIACE). Experience has shown that the contract terms can change after a certain time (e.g. five years), without it being possible for the insured person to negotiate. The advantage that persons insured collectively have is that they constitute a more powerful negotiator vis-à-vis the insurance company, for example, in case of dispute on reimbursements or when the company wishes to raise the premium.
An individual insurance is a contract between the insurer and his client. The conditions are fixed and set out in that contract, except those explicitly mentioned as being variable (e.g. indexation of the premium). Individual insurance contracts are usually annual contracts with tacit renewal. Each year, the insurer has the possibility to take the product off the market and/or replace it by a different product with, for example, new exclusions or restrictions in coverage. The general conditions will determine to what extent the client is protected against this.
- High risks or comprehensive insurance?
There are several options:
– hospitalisation[8] or major risks (e.g. annual premium of the order of €70-300 depending on age),
– hospitalisation and out-patient care[9] with coverage of additional costs of dental fees, eye treatment and other special care (e.g. annual premium from €1,450 to €2,200, depending on the out-patient treatment covered, the level of supplementary cover and the age of the beneficiary).
It is probable that a person who is concerned will tend to insure against the risk of a hospital stay that would be liable to cost more than half of a basic salary or pension, given that the annual premium for this kind of insurance, limited to major risks, is low.
4. Financial level of supplementary cover
Some policies simply cover 20% (or 15%) of the medical treatment at the most, regardless of how much the JSIS reimburses. If the JSIS reimburses 80% (or 85%), the beneficiary has 100% cover. If the JSIS limits its reimbursement, to say 60%, because of ceilings, or because it deems that expenses are beyond reasonable and customary levels (excessive costs), there will be a patient share of 20%, even after intervention of the supplementary cover which is limited to 20%. The patient share could be much higher in the case of hospitalization in countries with high medical care costs.
Others policies reimburse everything that is not covered by the JSIS, even paying out more than the JSIS, to reach the 100% reimbursement.
5. Insurance for life or not
It is essential to be covered for life.
Warning: some insurance policies are suspended when you reach the age of 65 or 80 or when you retire! Maintaining such insurance after these dates may depend on a medical check-up and/or on negotiations with the insurance company.
Some insurance companies change the conditions and coverage when you reach the age of 65, 75 or 80.
The possibility of maintaining the insurance cover when leaving the EU Institutions must be considered. This can be essential for staff with a temporary contract.
6. Annual premium irrespective of age or variable premium depending on age
Certain simple hospitalisation policies provide insurance where the annual premium does not depend on age. Others have premiums that vary with age. Often, however, premiums are also statistically adjusted if they are not blocked by a framework contract; after several years, the premium will be just as high in either case.
7. Cover of treatment required following an accident
The policies hereafter cover all the treatment provided for in the policy (hospitalisation only or hospitalisation plus out-patient treatment), regardless of whether the treatment is required as a result of an illness or of an accident. However two policies propose an option with no cover of medical care costs resulting from an accident, to be considered when the affiliate has a specific accident insurance including to top up of accident related medical care costs.
8. Further considerations
Geographical spread of guarantees under the policy
Does the insurance policy offer worldwide coverage; does it accept several languages? Insurance companies and brokers try to limit the administrative burden. There are policies which offer good cover in Belgium and Luxemburg but refuse to offer worldwide coverage. Insurance can thus be national or cover the EU countries only or the European Economic Area only (EEA = EU plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland). JSIS never covers repatriation!
- Stability of the insured population
An insurance policy covering a population of retired staff will soon end up with premium increases due to the ageing of the population.
Intergenerational insurance policies will remain more stable and could even be more “profitable” if they increase the proportion of young members. The insurance policy could then be improved and the insurance company can make special offers.
- Stability of the premium and provisions under the policy
Indexation, possibility of updated evaluation, size of the negotiating group in the case of group insurance and so on.
- Solvability and weight of the insurance company.
It is wise to consider essential criteria such as the financial stability and weight of the insurance company.To take out an insurance policy that risks being suspended after a few years owing to the company’s financial problems could lead to severe difficulties: with ageing, it becomes more and more difficult to take out new medical insurance.
- Availability of the agency or broker
Is the office or person easily contactable? How good are they at administering a claim? What languages do they speak?
IV. Health insurance to supplement JSIS
1. HOSPITALISATION – SURGICAL OPERATIONS
Supplementary cover for hospitalisation / surgical operations
A serious operation with subsequent long-term rehabilitation (in hospital) and care can prove expensive: some tens of thousands of euros. In these circumstances, it’s a good idea to have some back-up cover, especially if it enables you to go over the JSIS ceilings and if it is not too expensive (e.g. €70 to €300 per year). Moreover, it avoids the complicated administration of requesting a special reimbursement under Art 73(3) see III.1. above.
There are 2 collective insurance policies and 5 individual policies, well documented, available to active and/or retired EU Institutions staff affiliated to the JSIS and their family members. These insurance policies are private but specifically adapted to JSIS rules; they are limited to hospitalisation care and what is related to the hospitalization.
- HOSPI SAFE byAllianz Worldwide Care negotiated by Afiliatys; USB & SFP-Europa, U4U
- EurPriv Santé by Cigna (BCVR 8672)
- HOSPITALIZATION by Cigna (BCVR 8673), negotiated by AIACE.
- EUROSANTE Option « Tranquillité » by Allianz Worldwide Care
- EUROPAT INSURANCE (EUI) – Hospitalization by Expat & Co suggested by FFPE.
1.1 HOSPI SAFE ILLNESS AND ACCIDENT by Afiliatys
Afiliatys – USB – SFP-Europa – U4U
Insurance company & Broker : Allianz Worldwide Care (Reference 12)
(New framework contract 2020-2029)
- This collective insurance policy must be taken before retirement
- Partners and children can also be covered
- Medical questionnaire if subscribed less than six months before retirement. No waiting period but a moratorium of 2 years for illnesses existing at the moment of the subscription
- Lifelong insurance
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the EEA[10]
Hospi Safe deals with hospitalisation (single room), surgical operations resulting from illness or accident and related expenses incurred two months prior to and six months after the stay in hospital, prosthesis and medical material included. One day clinic included.
Subscribers receive 100% reimbursement of the difference between actual expenditure and the amount reimbursed by the JSIS. The top-up reimbursement is not subject to JSIS ceilings and excessive costs rules!
Once admitted, you can remain insured even on leaving the Institutions (contractual agents) if of interest, depending on the country and health system.
Reimbursement cannot be higher than 20% of costs claimed for post-operative rehabilitation.
All medical expenses linked to pregnancy are refunded 100%. Children up to 24 months are insured free of charge.
The policy is re-negotiated every 10 years by Afiliatys, .
Example (hypothetical): Hospitalization fees= €1,000, JSIS reimbursement = €7,500 (ceilings) => top-up = €2,500.
Example (hypothetical): Hospitalization fees= €10,000 in Zwitserland, JSIS reimbursement = €4,300 (country with high medical care costs : coefficient 1.86) => top-up = €5,700 (more important than the JSIS reimbursement !)
Example (hypothetical): Rehabilitation costs= €1,000, JSIS reimbursement (ceilings) = €600 => top up = €200 (being 20%of the cost) and not €400.
Annual premium 2022 which varies depending on age (€ – BE taxes[11] included) but fixed for 10 years (except Eurostat index and possible technical revision in 2025 to be agreed by Afiliatys):
| Age | 0-1 | 2-18 | 19-35 | 36-50 | 51-60 | 61+ |
| Annual premium € | 0.00 | 73.93 | 88.69 | 133.01 | 177.38 | 248.64 |
- HOSPI SAFE ILLNESS (Illness only) by Afiliatys
Afiliatys – USB – SFP-Europa – U4U
Insurance company & Broker : Allianz Worldwide Care (Reference 12)
(New framework contract 2020-2029)
- This collective insurance policy must be taken before retirement
- Partners and children can also be covered
- Medical questionnaire if subscribed less than six months before retirement. No waiting period but a moratorium of 2 years for illnesses existing at the moment of the subscription
- Lifelong insurance
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the EEA[12]
The cover is the same as in 1.1.1. here above but consequences of an accident are excluded.
Annual premium 2022 which varies depending on age (€ – BE taxes[13] included) but fixed for 10 years (except Eurostat index and possible technical revision in 2025 to be agreed by Afiliatys):
| Age | 0-1 | 2-18 | 19-35 | 36-50 | 51-60 | 61+ |
| Annual premium (€) | 0.00 | 53.67 | 65.63 | 98,26 | 131,14 4 | 182,33 |
Note
The option Hospi Safe Illness, without coverage of accidents, is justified
- If the affiliate is an active staff member and thus covered by Art. 73 of the Straff Regulations: accident cover to supplement JSIS (Art. 72)
- If the interested retired staff member also takes out an accident insurance policy, for example, the specific “Accident” policy proposed by AIACE – Cigna (see V.1. hereunder).
- 1.2.1. HOSPITALIZATION (SICKNESS and ACCIDENT
Insurance Company & broker : Cigna (BCVR 8673) (Reference 3)
Formerly “Major Risks and Accident” (Specifically for retired staff)
- Collective insurance to be taken up on or after retirement.
- Available for partners as well. Children could apply for Eurpriv Plus (1.3. here-under)
- The age limit is 67 (or 12 months after the date of retirement). The limit of 67 is not applied to partners.
- Subscription is subject to a medical questionnaire. There is no waiting period
- Lifelong insurance and worldwide cover.
This policy covers only those costs relating to a hospital stay (single room) and/or an operation resulting from an illness and related expenses incurred two months prior to and six months after the stay in hospital. The option “Major Risks and Accident” also covers costs relating to hospital stay and operation resulting from an accident.
Reimbursements cover 100% of the difference between expenses and JSIS reimbursement. However, the complementary reimbursements cannot exceed the maximum amounts of the reimbursements as established by the JSIS for the corresponding expense categories.
This framework contract is re-negotiated periodically by AIACE with Cigna and Allianz BE on the basis of statistics. It is automatically renewed from year to year if there is no re-negotiation.
Example (hypothetical): hospital fees: €1,000, JSIS reimbursement (ceilings or excessive costs) = €400, top-up reimbursement = €400.
Annual premium 2022-24 (€ – BE taxes included). Follows the Eurostat index.
1.2.2. HOSPITALIZATION without ACCIDENT by AIACE
AIACE
Insurance Company & broker : Cigna (BCVR 8673) (Reference 3)
Formerly “Major Risks and Accident” (Specifically for retired staff)
- Collective insurance to be taken up on or after retirement.
- Available for partners as well. Children could apply for Eurpriv Santé (1.3. here-under)
- The age limit is 67 (or 12 months after the date of retirement). The limit of 67 is not applicable to partners.
- Subscription is subject to a medical questionnaire. There is no waiting period
- Lifelong insurance and worldwide cover[14].
The cover is the one proposed in 1.2.1. here above but consequences of an accident are excluded.
Annual premium 2022-24 (€ – BE taxes included), follows the Eurostat index.
| Without coverage of accidents | |
| Without any deductible | 254.45 |
| With €100 deductible | 221.68 |
Note
The option “HOSITALIZATION” without coverage of accidents, is justified if the interested retired staff member also takes out the specific “Accident” policy proposed by AIACE – Cigna (see V.1. hereunder).
- EurPriv Santé (Illness and accident)
Insurance Company : Cigna (Reference 2) (BCVR 8672)
- This individual insurance policy must be taken up at least 6 months before retirement
- Partners and children can also be covered
- Is subject to a medical questionnaire[15]. No waiting period.
- Lifelong insurance
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the EEA[16]
The cover is, in principle, equal to 1.1.1. in continuation of the policy supported by Afiliatys and Cigna until 31.12.2019 but now managed by Allianz Worldwide Care as the result of a call for tender (2018)
General conditions of the policy proposed by Cigna are similar to the ones proposed in 1.1.1.
The annual premium for 2022 which varies depending on age (€ – BE taxes[17] included). The premium follows the Eurostat index.
| Age | 0-20 | 21-30 | 31-50 | 51-60 | 61-67 | 67+ |
| Annual premium (€) | 69.56 | 97.36 | 152.97 | 198.42 | 266.57 | 448.13 |
1.4 EUROSANTE option « Tranquillité »
Brokers: Concordia, Vanbreda Risk & Benefits, INS consult
Insurance: Allianz Worldwide Care (Reference 4)
- This individual insurance can only be taken out up to 67 years of age, before retirement.
- Partners and children can also be covered
- Subscription subject to a medical questionnaire[18]. No waiting period.
- Lifelong insurance
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the European Economic Area
The option “Tranquillité” deals with hospitalisation (single room), surgical operations resulting from illness or accident and related expenses incurred two months prior to and six months after the stay in hospital. Post-surgical rehabilitation treatmentis reimbursable for treatment that starts within three months of discharge after the acute surgical treatment ceases and only if it takes place in a licensed rehabilitation facility.
Subscribers receive 100% reimbursement of the difference between actual expenditure and the amount reimbursed by the JSIS. The top-up reimbursement is not subject to JSIS ceilings! (Mind the JSIS exclusions!).
The supplementary cover stops if the JSIS cover stops.
The annual policy is automatically renewed for the next insurance year provided that the plan combination selected is still available. Worldwide Care has the right to apply revised policy terms and conditions, effective from the renewal date.
Example (hypothetical): Hospitalisation fees= €1,000, JSIS reimbursement = €400 (ceilings – excessive costs) => top-up = €600.
Annual premium 2022 (€ – BE taxes included):
| Age | 0-18 | 19-35 | 36-50 | 51-60 | 61-67 | 68-75 | 76-80 | 81+ |
| Annual premium (€) | 68 | 83 | 123 | 165 | 206 | 256 | 321 | 402 |
1.5. Europat Insurance (EUI) Hospitalization
by FFPE
Insurance company: Expat & Co
Broker: WYR (Reference 10)
- This individual insurance can only be taken before the age 70.
- Partners and children can be covered.
- There is no medical questionnaire[19]. Some waiting periods of 3 month. Moratorium of 2 to 3 years for pre-existing illnesses[20].
- Lifelong cover[21].
- Territorial limits of application to be defined with the insurance company. (EEA or worldwide or limitations)
Module 1 (without options) of the policy covers the costs relating to hospital stays (single room) and surgical operations (due to illness or accident), prostheses, rehabilitation, dental care after an accident, pregnancy, childbirth, outpatient costs related to the hospitalisation 60 days before and 120 days after; accompanying a hospitalised child, nursing at home (up to 60 days), palliative care (max 60 days), urgent transportation.
Supplementary reimbursement to JSIS is at 100%.
Some ceilings exist: e.g. Post-surgical rehabilitation treatment: €5,000; nursing at home or in a specialised centre: €5,000.
Annual reimbursement limit of €2,000,000.
If JSIS cover ends (end of temporary contract) there is the immediate possibility to switch to Expat Gold policy, very similar to the EU one.
Annual premiums (to be paid monthly) depend on age upon subscription. They do not vary afterwards because of age. (€ – BE taxes included).
| Age at subscription | 40 | 50 | 60 |
| Module 1 (hospitalization) | 284 | 394 | 623 |
The exact premiums will be obtained if an offer is requested from the insurer or broker.
The cover is valid for 1 year and is renewable automatically for successive 1 year periods. Expat & Co reserves the right to adjust the premiums once a year starting from the renewal date, based on possible changes in cover, on the loss experience during the previous year (e.g. increased prices in medical care) and in case of a fundamental changes to the JSIS rules.
2. HOSPITALISATION AND OUT-PATIENT CARE
2. More extensive supplementary cover: hospitalisation / surgical operations / certain out-patient expenses / dental care / eye care /etc.
There is one collective insurance policy and seven individual policies available to EU Institutions staff affiliated to the JSIS. They cover much more than hospital care.
- HOSPI SAFE PLUS Allianz Worldwide Care with AFILIATYS, USB, SFP-Europa, U4U
- EURPRIV PLUS by Cigna
- EUROSANTE Option « Optimum » by Allianz Worldwide Care
- DKV EU Plus by LALUX, WYR, suggested by FFPE, Save Europe, INS consult.
- EU HEALTH by FOYER Global Health, Luxemburg
- EUROPAT INSURANCE (EUI) suggested by FFPE with Expat & Co
2.1. Hospi-Safe-Plus
Afiliatys – USB – SFP-Europa – U4U
Allianz Worldwide Care (Reference 12) (Framework contract 2020-2029)
- This collective insurance must be taken out before retirement.
- Partners and children can be covered
- Medical questionnaire if subscribed less than six months before retirement.
- No waiting period but a moratorium of 2 years for illnesses existing at the moment of the subscription
- Lifelong insurance
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the EEA[22]
It provides a high level of cover for hospital stays (single room – one day clinic included) as does Hospi Safe. Full reimbursement of pregnancy medical care. Reimbursements are at 100% of the difference for hospitalisation and surgical operations (as with Hospi-Safe) and at 80% of the difference between actual cost and JSIS reimbursement for:
- Consultations (generalists – specialists) and medicines
- Laboratory examinations; imaging
- Several out-patient treatments (article 8(2) of the GIP – reference 13)
- Dental, eye and ear treatments
- Orthopaedic equipment and medical equipment
Reimbursement cannot go above 20% of out-patient expenses under this same article 8(2) of the GIP nor for post-operative rehabilitation.
Specific ceilings exist for dental treatment, optics, audio equipment, spectacles, consultations and medicines (€1,250), laboratory examinations, medical imaging not related to hospitalisation. For dental treatment, €800 during the two first years of affiliation, rising up to €3,200 after 4 years.
20% reimbursement for fitness and dietary programmes (preventive care).
Example (Real): 10 kinesiotherapy sessions = €450; JSIS reimbursement = €250 (ceiling) => supplementary reimbursement for this out-patient treatment = €160 (80% of 200).
Example (Hypothetical) dental care with prosthesis paid €6,000; JSIS reimbursement (ceilings) = €1,000 => supplementary reimbursement = €3.200 (not €4,000 = 80% of the difference) as the ceiling is €3.200 per year (after 4 years of affiliation).
Annual premium 2021 which varies depending on age (€ – BE taxes[23] included) but fixed for 10 years (except Eurostat index and possible technical revision in 2025 to be agreed by Afiliatys):
| Age | 0-1 | 2-18 | 19-35 | 36-50 | 51-60 | 61+ |
| Annual premium (€) | 0.00 | 536.63 | 656.20 | 982.67 | 1,311.43 | 1,823.39 |
2.2. EurPriv Santé Plus
Cigna – (BCVR 8672 – Reference 2)
- This individual insurance policy must be taken up at least 6 months before retirement
- Partners and children can also be covered
- Is subject to a medical questionnaire[24]. No waiting period.
- Lifelong insurance
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the EEA[25]
In principle equal to 2.1.as proposed by Cigna for the affiliates, in continuation of the policy supported by Afiliatys until 31.12.2019 but now managed by Allianz Care as the result of a call for tender that gave the contract to Allianz Care
General conditions of the policy proposed by Cigna are similar to the ones proposed in 2.1.
The annual premium, in 2022, to be paid quarterly, depends on age (BE taxes included). It can be revised every year by the insurance company:
| Age | 0-20 | 21-30 | 31-50 | 51-60 | 61-67 | 67+ |
| Annual premium (€) | 489.52 | 611.96 | 958.70 | 1,019.90 | 1,278.32 | 1,836.08 |
Insurance company: Allianz Worldwide Care (Reference 4)
2.3. EUROSANTE (Option Optimum)
- This individual insurance must be taken up to the age of 67 years before retirement.
- Partners and children can be covered
- Subscription subject to a medical questionnaire[26]. No waiting period.
- Worldwide cover but limitations outside the European Economic Area
The option “Optimum” provides a high level of cover for hospital stays (single room) as does the option “Tranquillité”, together with dental treatment, logopaedics, orthopaedics, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, orthopaedic aids and so on (article 8(2) of the GIP –– reference 13).Covers consultations, medicines, laboratory examinations, …
Reimbursements are 100% of the difference for hospitalisation and surgical operations (as with Hospi-Safe) and 80% of the difference between actual cost and JSIS reimbursement for some out-patient treatment (article 8(2) of the GIP), as well as dental, eye and ear treatment and orthopaedic equipment. Reimbursement cannot go above 20% of out-patient expenses under this same article 8(2) (Reference 13) nor for post-operative rehabilitation.
There are special ceilings for dental care (€800) and glasses.
The cover stops if JSIS cover stops.
The annual policy is automatically renewed for the next insurance year provided that the plan combination selected is still available. Worldwide Care has the right to apply revised policy terms and conditions, effective from the renewal date.
Example (Hypothetical): dental or eye treatment costs= €1 000; JSIS reimbursement = €400 (ceiling) => supplementary reimbursement for this out-patient treatment = €480 (80% of 600).
Example (Hypothetical) out-patient expenses under article 8(2) paid = €1 000; JSIS reimbursement (ceilings) 400€ => supplementary reimbursement = €200 (not €480 because maximum 20% of costs).
Annual premium 2021, to be paid quarterly, depends on age[27] (€ – BE taxes included – October 2018)
| Age | 0-18 | 19-35 | 36-50 | 51-60 | 61-67 | 68-75 | 76-80 | 81+ |
| Annual premium (€) | 493 | 603 | 905 | 1,203 | 1,492 | 1,866 | 2,333 | 2,915 |
2.4. DKV EU Plus
suggested by FFPE
Insurance company: LALUX Brokers: WYR SCRL / NS consult (Reference 5)
Affiliation is now possible only for the colleagues in Luxemburg.
- This Individual insurance policy is open to anyone under 70.[28]
- Available to partners and children.
- A medical questionnaire is required prior to subscription. There are waiting periods of 3 to 8 months.
- Lifelong insurance.
- Cover is valid in Europe and one month out of Europe. It can be extended.
This insurance covers all hospital (single room) care and normal out-patient treatment, usual consultations – including specialists, prescribed medicine, etc) ambulance costs, parent accompanying a child in hospital, classic and some alternative medicines. Dental, eye and ear treatment and orthopaedic equipment are also considered.
With replacement teeth, however, reimbursement is restricted to a maximum level of one quarter of the top tariff rate, calculated in accordance with the JSIS ceilings.
Supplementary reimbursement corresponds to 20% of costs. The company will also reimburse where there is excess expenditure (e.g. single room).
Detailed supporting documents are required when requesting top-up reimbursement.
The annual policy is automatically renewed for the next insurance year. DKV adjusts the annual premium depending on the statistics, even if the premium is fixed at the subscription.
Example (Prosthesis): hospital costs (single room) = €20,000, JSIS reimburses €14,000 (=70%) – top up possible up to €5,000 (20% of costs)
The annual premium depends on age when subscribing (in € – BE taxes included)
| Age | 30-34 | 50-54 | 65-69 | 70 + |
| Annual premium | 600 | 1,000 | 1,400 | 1,600 |
The exact premiums (2021) will be obtained if an offer is requested from the insurer or broker.
2.5. EU HEALTH
Insurance company: Foyer Global Health, Luxemburg (Reference 6)
- This individual insurance is available up to the age of 65
- It is also available for partners and children
- Subject to risk assessment. There are no overall waiting periods. Waiting periods apply only to specified benefits (i.e. pregnancy and major dental treatment.)
- Once enrolled, you can remain insured for life
- Worldwide cover without limitations with the exception of treatment in the USA. Urgent treatment in USA is included for short term travel for a maximum of 6 weeks.
This individual insurance provides a high level of cover for hospital stays in a private room, it also covers surgical operations and costs linked to hospitalisation (due to illness or accident). One-day clinic is included, as well as dental treatment, orthodontic services, visual aids and other out-patient costs.
This Supplementary insurance covers up to 20% of the medical costs.
Maximum benefits limits exist for major dental treatment and visual aids.
The policy is automatically renewed for the next insurance year. The insurance company can modify the premiums following the technical results of the insurance policy, of the expenditure expectation and the evolution in the JSIS rules.
EU Health insurance also includes worldwide assistance provided by Global Corporate Solutions (Europ Assistance)(Transport, direct billing, repatriation,…)
Example. Cost of medical treatment = 2.000€, reimbursement from JSIS (Hypothetical 85% but maximum benefit = 1.500€; Supplementary reimbursement = 400€ (20% of 2.000€)
The annual premium, to be paid monthly or annually (-3%) (€ – BE taxes and assistance included)
| Age | 0-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-è |
| Premium | 635 | 665 | 806 | 861 | 861 | 977 | 1,045 | 1,150 | 1,445 | 1,681 | 2,166 |
2.6. EUROPAT Insurance (EUI) (Hospitalization +, options 1&2)
Suggested by FFPE
Insurance company: Expat & Co – Broker: WYR SCRL (Reference 7)
- This individual insurance to subscribed before the age of 70.
- It can cover partners and children
- There is no medical questionnaire[29]. Some 3 months waiting period. Moratorium of 2 to 3 years for pre-existing illnesses.[30]
- Lifelong cover[31]
- Territorial limits of application to be defined with the insurance company. (EEA or worldwide or imitations)
Two options in complement to the cover ‘Hospitalization’ described in 1.5, page 11, above: option 1 – outpatient care; option 2 – dental, optic and audio care
Option 1 covers usual medical consultations, prescribed medicines, outpatient care independent of any hospitalisation (kine, physio and orthopaedic equipment). Max: 2,500 € par year.
Option 3 offers a supplementary cover for dental and eye care at 100% but with limitations: (e.g. €1,500 to €5,500 per year for dental care; €300 per 3 year for spectacles; €1,500€ per year for hearing aids; €1,500 per year for post-surgical rehabilitation treatment).
Supplementary reimbursement to JSIS is at 100%. If JSIS does not intervene, reimbursement is 20% of the bill.
There is an annual reimbursement limit of €2,000,000
In case of abandon of JSIS (end of temporary contract) there is the immediate possibility to switch to Expat Gold policy, very similar to the EU one.
The cover is valid for 1 year and is renewable automatically for successive 1 year periods.
Order of magnitude of annual premiums (€ – BE taxes included). Premiums, to be paid monthly, depend on age at subscription.
| Age at subscription | 40 | 50 | 60 |
| Hospitaliezation + Options 1 & 2 (outpatient+dental/eye) | 641 | 880 | 1,374 |
The exact premiums will be obtained if an offer is requested from the insurer or broker.
Expat & Co reserves the right to adjust the premiums once a year starting from the renewal date:
- based on eventual changes in cover;
- based on inflation
- based on the loss experience during the previous year (e.g. increased prices in medical care)
- in case of a fundamental modification in the legislation regarding JSIS;
- Notes
- Reimbursements given by the above insurance policies have to be declared to JSIS if asking for the special reimbursement provided by Article 72§3
- The ceilings and exclusions under the JSIS can have a serious effect, especially for pensioners’ sickness and treatment. JSIS cover may change in the future. Some examples given above are extreme –voluntarily so – but they are not unrealistic!
- Beware – suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, certain sports and so on are, generally speaking, grounds for exclusion.
V. Accident cover
In case of accident a retired official (or in disability or on LPG) still benefits from JSIS reimbursement at the rate of 85% (or 80%) for treatment required as a result of an accident, exactly as for illness.
For the staff in active employment (but not for retired officials, officials in disability and officials in LPG (Leave on personal ground[32]) the Staff Regulations (Article 73) offer 100 % reimbursement for treatment resulting from an accident and a lump sum in the case of disability (partial or total) or death (specific accident insurance).
If the retired official also has supplementary cover to JSIS (cf IV above), reimbursement following an accident can be 100% exactly as for illness[33] but, in this case, the official (or his heirs) will not receive a capital sum in the event of death or disability caused by an accident.
The retired official who would like a large sum to cover the possibility of disability and dependence support (or wishes to provide for his heirs) in the case of an accident, can take out accident insurance specially designed for retired officials, officials in disability and for their partner.
Specific accident insurance for pensioners and partners[34]
AIACE
Insurance company: Cigna – Broker: Cigna (Reference 8)
- Insurance policy proposed by AIACE to the retired staff (staff in disability) and partners.
- This accident insurance must be taken out before age 80.
- There is no need for a medical questionnaire.
- When the subscriber reaches the age of 75, the contract is downsized to the minimum option (formula A).
- Coverage is worldwide.
This policy provides for a lump sum payment upon permanent disability (total or partial) or death.
There are three formulas (options) and the possibility to choose a formula with or without an excess of 5% concerning the disability capital. This means that in case of a disability inferior to or equal to 5%, no capital sum will be paid.
Since the capital sum insured is expressed as a multiple of the basic annual pension (gross pension), it is automatically indexed.
| Formula A | Formula B | Formula C | ||
| Total invalidity | 4x Annual pension | 6x Annual pension | 8x Annual pension | |
| Death | 2.3x Annual pension | 3.5x Annual pension | 5x Pension annuelle | |
| With 5% deductible | 0.47% Annual pension | 0.68% Annual pension | 0.91% Annual pension | |
| Monthly prime- gross monthly pension of €2,000 | 10.27 | 14.86 | 19.88 | |
| Annual prime – gross monthly pension of €2,000 | 123 | 178 | 239 | |
| Monthly Prime – gross monthly pension of €3,000 | 15.40 | 22.29 | 29.83 | |
| Annual prime– gross monthly pension of €3,000 | 185 | 268 | 358 | |
| Without deductible | 0.55% Annual pension | 0.80% Annual pension | 1.06% Annual pension | |
| Monthly prime – gross monthly pension of €2,000 | 12.02 | 17.48 | 2.17 | |
| Annual prime – gross monthly pension of €2,000 | 144 | 209 | 278 | |
| Monthly prime – gross monthly pension of €3,000 | 18.03 | 26.22 | 34.74 | |
| Annual prime – gross monthly pension of €3,000 | 216 | 315 | 417 | |
9.25 % tax included
In case of permanent partial disability, the insured capital is multiplied by the percentage of permanent disability.
This collective accident insurance provides also for 100% top-up of the JSIS reimbursement (no ceilings, provided the expenses are “reasonable”) for treatment required after an accident (hospitalisation, consultations, physiotherapy, medicine, etc.).
Example 7. (Hypothetical): expenses as result of an accident = €1,000; JSIS reimbursement (ceilings) = €400 => top up = €600.
Example: Permanent disability (after broken leg) evaluated 4%.
- Case of no excess. Disabilty capital, monthly pension of €5,000, formula A: 9,600€
- Case of excess of 5%. Disability capital = €0, independently of the formula!
Premium is automatically paid by the PMO. The deduction appears on your pension slip.
Comprehensive insurance – death and disability
Afiliatys
Insurance company: Allianz France – Broker: Cigna (Reference 9)
Cigna offers officials in active employment (in addition to the statutory accident insurance[35]) a
- life insurance (death and total permanent disability, all causes) with free choice of capital and cover taking account of their personal requirements and family situation
- applicable for partners and children
- disability guarantee under this insurance ends with the official’s career or when he/she reaches age 65.
The life insurance policy may continue up to age 80, under special conditions laid down by the company (e.g. medical questionnaire and reduction of capital with increase in annual premium).
- Being comprehensive, this policy provides payment of the capital to the heirs in the event of death.
- The capital is also paid out in the case of total and permanent disability. This cover is available only in combination with life insurance.
The capital is either chosen by reference to salary or fixed.
For a lump sum of €100,000, order of magnitude of the annual premium which depends on age at subscription (€- BE taxes included).
Aunual premium (€) for a capital of €100,000 in case of death and €100,000 in case of invalidité
| Age | Death | Invalidity |
| <30 | 85.2 | 68.4 |
| 30-35 | 102 | 80.4 |
| 36-40 | 136.8 | 102 |
| 41-45 | 205.2 | 159.6 |
| 46-50 | 307.2 | 284.4 |
| 51-55 | 500.4 | 512.4 |
| 56-60 | 784.8 | 982.8 |
| 61-65 | 1,155.6 | 1,734 |
| 66-70** | 1,616.4 | * |
| 71-75** | 2,845.2 | * |
| 76-80** | 4,552.8 | * |
*Disability insurance stops at the age of 65.
**After 65, the death insurance covers only half of the insured capital..
- Notes
Any accident must be reported within 15 working days to Cigna and to the JSIS[36].
It can happen that a person is over-insured for medical care following an accident since most of the supplementary health insurance policies reimburse supplementary expenses relating to accidents already dealt with by the JSIS and that the specific “AIACE Accident” policy also provides supplementary reimbursement but at 100%, independently of the JSIS ceilings. This is the reason why Afiliatys and AIACE propose a supplementary health insurance limited to sickness, excluding accidents (Hospi Safe Sickness and Hospitalization Sickness – IV. above).
VI. Assistance when travelling abroad
A supplementary insurance cover can be national or cover of the European Economic Area only. There are limits applying to the USA, Canada,… (€25,000 per year). It must be remembered that the JSIS has a limited response to repatriations for health reasons and has no provisions for it in the event of death (except if the person was on mission).
JSIS is not easily recognised far away from Brussels or Luxemburg!
- Travel assistance proposed by Afiliatys
Insurance company: Europe Assistance – Broker: Cigna: (Reference 10)
Afiliatys, Cigna and Europe Assistance have brought out a joint travel assistance option that is perfectly suited to cover European officials and other servants and their families.
Two formulae of assistance are suggested:
- Silver: assistance to people and travel assistance
- Gold: assistance to people, travel assistance and annual cancellation insurance
Annual premiums (€ – BE taxes included):
| Formulae / Options | Silver | Gold |
| Base | 94 | 208 |
| Suppl. medical care* | 50 | 50 |
| Suppl. roadside assistance | 41 | 41 |
| Total | 185 | 299 |
*Maximum cover: 1,000,000€
- Travel assistance proposed by AIACE
Cigna – AXA (Reference 11)
It must be remembered that JSIS provides only a limited response to repatriations for health reasons and has no provisions for it in the event of death (except if the person was on mission).
Annual prime for the whole family. 2 options : « Reference » or « Excellence »
| Age category Cover | 0 – 65 | 65 – 70 | 70 – 80 | 80 – 85 | ||||
| Ref | Exc. | Ref | Exc. | Ref | Exc. | Ref | Exc. | |
| Assist. to persons and annulation | 124 | 223 | 186 | 334 | 247 | 445 | 309 | 556 |
| Vehicle and replacement | 90 | 100 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 100 | 90 | 90 |
| Travel accidents | 79 | 87 | 119 | 131 | 158 | 174 | 199 | 216 |
| Luggage | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| Total | 358 | 478 | 460 | 630 | 560 | 784 | 663 | 927 |
Max Assistance to the person and per person : Ref : €1,000,000 € ; Exc : €3,000,000.
- Travel assistance proposed by other insurance companies
- The EUROPAT insurance (IV.1.6 and IV.2.6 here above) proposes a travel insurance including assistance, medical care and repatriation (periods of 90 days).
- Several credit cards offer travel assistance when they are used to pay for the trip.
- Several national travel assistance insurance offers exist, e.g. linked to your car insurance
VII. Comparison of supplementary health insurance policies
| JSIS | |||||||||
| Name of policy | Reference | Cover / variations | Conditions / Notes | Limitations | Annual premium | ||||
| JSIS | Art 72 of the Staff Regulations | – Reimb 85% (or 80%) – Direct billing -Art 73 (accidents) | – Serious illness (reimb 100%) – Art. 72§3 (annex 1) – Worldwide cover | – Ceilings – Limitations – Prior authorization – Medical prescription | Cf pension statement | ||||
| Hospitalisation, surgical operations and related medical treatment | |||||||||
| Name of policy | Reference | Cover / variations | Conditions / Notes | Limitations | Annual premium | ||||
| HOPI SAFE Afiliatys Allianz Care | Collective Private room | Top up JSIS reimb. to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated medical care expenses. Also covers hospitalisation following accident. | To be contracted before retirement. No med. questionnaire, except if 6 months before retirement . Moratorium of 2 y | Revalidations at 20% Cover is worldwide but limitations outside EEA | €133 at 40y €248 at 61y and + | ||||
| HOSPI SAFE Illness only Afiliatys Allianz Care | Collective Private room | Top up JSIS reimb. to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated medical care expenses | To be contracted before retirement. No med. questionnaire, except if 6 months before retirement . Moratorium of 2 y | Revalidations at 20% Cover is worldwide but limitations outside EEA | €98 at 40y €152 at 61y and + | ||||
| EUROSANTE- Tranquillite Allianz Worldwide Care | Individual Insurance Private room | Top up JSIS reimb. to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated medical care expenses. Also covers hospitalisation following accident. | Medical questionnaire Must be contracted before 67 Y. Premium can be adapted by Allianz | Revalidation within 3 months Cover is worldwide but limitations outside EEA. | €118 at 40y €198 at 61y €386 after 80y | ||||
| EURPRIV Santé Cigna | Individual Insurance Private room | Top up JSIS reimb. to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated medical care expenses Also covers hospitalisation following accident | Medical questionnaire Must be contracted 6months before Premium can be adapted by Cigna | Revalidations at 20% Cover is worldwide but limitations outside EEA | €153 at 40y €267 at 61y 448 At 68+ | ||||
| HOSPITALIZATION Sickness and accident AIACE / Cigna | Collective insurance BCVR 8673 For retired Staff only | Top up JSIS reimb. to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated medical care expenses. Covers treatment following an accident | Medical questionnaire Subscription after retirement only. Age limit for subscriber: 67 (+12 months) | Top-up reimb limited to max paid by JSIS. Premium can be adapted by Cigna Cover is worldwide with limitations outside EEA. | €286 €279 With €100 deductibles | ||||
| HOSPITALIZATION Sickness without accident AIACE / Cigna | Collective insurance BCVR 8673 For retired Staff only | Top up JSIS reimb. to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated medical care expenses. No accident cover.. | Medical questionnaire Subscription after retirement only. Age limit for subscriber: 67 (+12 months) | Top-up reimb limited to max paid by JSIS. Premium can be adapted by Cigna Cover is worldwide with limitations outside EE | €254 €222 With €100 deductibles | ||||
| EUROPAT Insurance (EUI) (Hospitalization) FFPE / Expat & Co | Individual insurance policy | Top up JSIS reimb.to reach 100% of hospital fees and correlated expenses. Does cover treatment following an accident. | No med. questionnaire Moratorium +/- 2 y Also nursing and aid. Age limit to subscribe: 70 | Premium fixed at subscription, but can be adapted by Expat&Co. Cover limitations outside the EEA | €284 at 40y €623 at 60y | ||||
| Hospitalisation, surgical operation and outpatient treatment | |||||||
| Name of policy | Reference | Cover / variations | Conditions / Notes | Limitations | Annual premium | ||
| HOSPI SAFE PLUS Afiliatys Allianz Care | – Collective insurance | Top at 100% hospital fees. Top up of 80% of the JSIS non reimbursement of a list of out-patient costs. Also covers several hospitalisation and several treatments following accident. | No medical questionnaire if more than 6 month before retirement Premium fixed for 5 (or 10 years) | Specific ceilings for dental eye care and medicines, med visits, med imaging. No ceilings but top-up limited to 20% of out-patient costs. Cover limited outside EEA | 983 € at 40y 1,823 € à 61y and + | ||
| EURPRIV Santé PLUS Cigna | – Individual insurance | Top up at 100% hospital fees. Top up of 80% of the ISIS non reimbursement of a list of out-patient costs. Also covers several hospitalisation and several treatments following accident | Medical questionnaire To be taken out 6 month before retirement Premiun can be adapted by Cigna | Specific ceilings for dental eye care and medicines, med visits, med imaging. No ceilings but top-up limited to 20% of out-patient costs. Cover limited outside EEA | 959 € at 40y 1,278 at 61y 1,836 at 68y and + | ||
| EUROSANTE -Optimum Allianz Worldwide Care | – Individual cover Possible option without dental care | Top up 100% hospital fees. Top up of 80% of the ISIS non reimbursement of a list of out-patient costs. Also covers accident. | Med. questionnaire. Must be contracted before 67 Y. Annual premium can be modified by Allianz Care | Specific ceilings for dental and eye care No ceilings but top-up limited to 20% of out-patient costs. Cover limited outside EEA | €835 at 40y €1,431 at 61y € 2,797 after 80 | ||
| EU HEALTH By Foyer Global Health Luxemburg | – Individual cover | Reimb of the 20% not reimb. by JSIS, of hospital fees & all normal out-patient costs. Plus dental care and eye care (limited). Also covers accident. Assistance insurance included. | Medical questionnaire. No waiting times. Age limit for subscriber: 65 | Reimb. possible over and above JSIS ceilings. Specific ceilings for dental and eye care Worldwide cover, even in USA | €977 at 40 y €1,681 at 60 y €2,166 after 65 y | ||
| DKV EU PLUS FFPE / DKV Lux / In Luxemburg only | – Individual cover | Reimb at 20% (or 15%) of hospital fees & all normal out-patient costs. Plus dental care and eye care (limited). Also covers treatments following accident. | Medical questionnaire. Waiting times. Age limit for subscriber: 70 DKV adapts premium as a funct. of statistics | Limitations for dental / optical care in correlation with the JSIS rules. Premium depending on age at the subscription . Limitations of cover outside of the EEA | €700 when subscribing at 40 years €1,200 at 60 €1,500 at 70 | ||
| EUROPAT Insurance (EUI) Hospitalizatio + options 1&2 FFPE / Expat & Co | – Individual cover | Top up JSIS reimb.to reach 100% of hospital fees and all normal outpatient care costs. Plus dental care and eye care. Nursing at home, … Covers treatment following accident. | No medical questionnaire Moratorium +/- 2y Waiting times. Age limit to subscribe: 70 y. adapts. Premiums as a funct. of statistics | Premium fixed at subscription, but can be adapted by Expat&Co. Specific limits for dental and eye care Cover limitations outside the EEA | €625 when subscribing at 40y €1,335 at 60 €2,220 at 70 | ||
Beware !
The paragraphs, notes and tables on the policies presented here are by no means comprehensive or 100% accurate. They are summaries designed to enable comparison.
The only valid documents for those who wish to take out a policy or obtain official and comprehensive information are those issued by Cigna, Allianz WWCare, DKV, Foyer Global health and Expat & Co.
VIII. Annex Extracts from Staff Regulations and JSIS rules.
Article 7.1
1. An official, his spouse, where such spouse is not eligible for benefits of the same nature and of the same level by virtue of any other legal provision or regulations, his children and other dependents within the meaning of Article 2 of Annex VII are insured against sickness up to 80% of the expenditure incurred subject to rules drawn up by agreement between the institutions of the Communities after consulting the Staff Regulations Committee.
This rate shall be increased to 85% for the following services: consultations and visits, surgical operations, hospitalisation, pharmaceutical products, radiology, analyses, laboratory tests and prostheses on medical prescription with the exception of dental prostheses. It shall be increased to 100% in cases of tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, cancer, mental illness and other illnesses recognized by the appointing authority as of comparable seriousness, and for early detection screening and in cases of confinement. However, reimbursement at 100% shall not apply in the case of occupational disease or accident having given rise to the application of Article 73.
Article. 72.3. Special reimbursement – Risk limitation
Where the total expenditure not reimbursed for any period of 12 months exceeds half the official’s basic monthly salary or pension, special reimbursement shall be allowed by the appointing authority, account being taken of the family circumstances of the person concerned, in the manner provided for in the rules referred to in paragraph 1.
GIP JSIS. Serious Illness
According to the Staff Regulations, a serious illness is one recognized as such by decision of the appointing authority after consulting the Medical Officer and on the basis of the following criteria.
Serious illnesses include: Tuberculosis, Poliomyelitis, Cancer, Mental illness, and other illnesses recognised by the appointing authority as of comparable seriousness. Such illnesses typically involve, to varying degrees, the following four elements: a shortened life expectancy resulting from an illness which is likely to be drawn-out; an illness which is likely to be drawn-out; the need for aggressive diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures; the presence or risk of a serious handicap.
Expenses incurred in connection with a serious illness are reimbursed at the rate of 100%, without a ceiling, except for: home nursing care, dental expenses, miscellaneous medical treatments (Chapter 8.2. reference 13), accommodation costs during a convalescent/post-operative cure, costs of treatment and medical supervision during a thermal cure.
Article 20.2. Of the JSIS rules (2005) – Excessive costs
If the costs significantly exceed the amounts normally charged in the country where the treatment was provided, the portion of costs deemed excessive may be excluded from the reimbursement, pursuant to Article 20 of the joint rules, even if no ceiling for reimbursement has been set and even in the case of a serious illness. The portion of the costs deemed excessive will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Settlements Office after consulting the Medical Officer. The Medical Officer will determine the exact nature of the medical treatment in order to enable the Settlements Office to compare the rates being charged.
Article 21.1. Of JSIS Rules (2005) – Countries with high medical care costs
The expenses incurred in a country outside the European Union where costs are particularly high, are subject to a reduction coefficient to implement a repayment rate on amounts of costs made comparable to the average cost in the countries of the European Union. In particular, USA, Canada, Norway, Switzerland.
IX. References
1. General Information: Crutzen.Serge@gmail.com (Active Senior DG HR D1)
2. Insurance policy Cigna EurPriv Santé. Web site Eurprivileges Policy BCVR – 8672 :
https://www.eurprivileges.com/
3. Insurance policies ‘AIACE’ «Hospitalization with and without accidents » web site Eurprivileges: Policy BCVR – 8673
https://www.eurprivileges.com/ https://aiace-europa.eu/assurances/
4. Insurance policy Allianz Worldwide Care
Introduced by Union Syndicale : E-mail : sales@allianzworldwidecare.com Tél.: +353 1 514 8442
www.allianzworldwidecare.com/eurosante
Other broker: Vanbreda Risk and Benefits, “Bureau Euransurances”: Rue Stévin, 144 (derrière le Berlaymont) -1000 Bruxelles Tel: 02 230 16 60 www.eurinsurances.be
Other broker: INS consult (agent Safe-Europe) Archimède n° 89, Bt.26 – 1000 Bruxelles
Tel: 02/735.16.01/GSM 0486.17.47.47
5. Insurance policy ‘DKV EU PLUS’
Policy LALUX Luxembourg www.dkv.lu/fr –
Broker in Luxemburg : OCA 23, Rue Aldringen L-1118, Luxembourg +352 671 177 077 jnguyen@oca.lu www.oca.lu
6. Insurance Policy ‘EU HEALTH’
Foyer Global Health S.A. Luxembourg http://www.foyerglobalhealth.com
Sales representative Luxemburg: tom.kree@agencefoyer.lu +352 691 568 306
Sales representative Belgium: Laurent.martin@foyerglobalhealth.com +32 467 122 830
7. Insurance policies EUROPAT Insurance EUI
EXPAT & Co International mobility insurances
Broker WYRSCRL, avenue de Tervueren, 143 1150 Bruxelles
Tel 0478 950 834 patrick@wyr-insurance.be www.wyr-insurance.be
8. Insurance policy ‘AIACE’ « Accident » Policy CIGNA since 2013.
Web site : https://www.eurprivileges.com/ https://aiace-europa.eu/assurances/
9. Insurance policy ‘AFFILIATYS’ « death & disability insurance (all causes) »Policy Allianz Be N° 909.478
Web site Cigna/eurprivileges: https://www.eurprivileges.com/
10. Insurance policy ‘AFILIATYS’ « Assistance voyage »
Web site: https://www.eurprivileges.com/
11. Assurance Assistance AIACE – Cigna – AXA
12. Insurance policy Hospi-Safe – Afiliatys – Allianz Care
Hospi Safe – Afiliatys (hospi-safe.eu) and
1, Place du Samedi, 1000 BE Bruxelles Green phone number 080070528
Allianz – Helpdesk : igo.assistance@allianzworldwidecare.com
13.Table of miscellaneous treatments: Article 8§2 of the GIP
General implementing provisions for the reimbursement of medical expenses
[1] Applies only to supplementary insurance coupled with the JSIS and based on the reimbursement slip of that scheme.
[2] Should be applicable for children in the near future.
[3] Full reference: General Implementing Provisions (GIP) – C(2007)3195 / 01.07.2007
Simplified reference: Reimbursement of medical expenses – Practical guide, PMO 20.06.2014
[4] Staff in disability or on LPG/CCP can pay to maintain the statutory accident insurance
[5] If this supplementary special reimbursement is requested by the JSIS member and granted by the authority.
[6] Applies only to supplementary insurance coupled with the JSIS and based on the reimbursement slip of that scheme.
[7] Group insurance policies imply that the institution collects the premiums.
[8] Expenses incurred as result of surgical operation or admittance to hospital because of illness or accident. Also covers collateral expenses.
[9] Cost of normal medical visits, prescribed medicines, care other than in a hospital, prescribed medical examinations and so on, rendered necessary as a result of illness or accident.
[10] Outside the European Economic Area, the healthcare costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount corresponding to the amount reimbursed for each expense by the JSIS, with an overall maximum of 25,000 EUR per insured and per calendar year
[11] Taxes in Belgium: 9.25 %.
[12] Outside the European Economic Area, the healthcare costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount corresponding to the amount reimbursed for each expense by the JSIS, with an overall maximum of 25,000 EUR per insured and per calendar year
[13] Taxes in Belgium: 9.25 %.
[14] From the FAQ, it appears that outside the European Economic Area, the healthcare costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount corresponding to the amount reimbursed for each expense by the JSIS, with an overall maximum of 25,000 EUR per insured and per calendar year
[15] Except within13 months of recruitment
[16] Outside the European Economic Area, the healthcare costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount corresponding to the amount reimbursed for each expense by the JSIS, with an overall maximum of 25,000 EUR per insured and per calendar year
[17] Taxes in Belgium: 9.25 %.
[18] Except within13 months of recruitment. Except if subscription resulting from a switch between another policy and EUROSANTE
[19] No medical questionnaire, however the insurance company declares: As long as the candidate has a link with Europe and is sound of mind and able-bodied at the inception date of the policy, any EU staff member (active or retired) under the age of 70 is eligible for coverage under €LP Gold EU
[20] At subsciption: I declare to be healthy and I do not intend to have surgery, medical or dental treatment or be hospitalised in the near future, as far as I know at the moment of signing this application form.
[21] The insurer may terminate the insurance contract, for example if the insured’s reimbursement statistics are considered to result from exaggeration, misrepresentation or fraud.
[22] Outside the European Economic Area, the healthcare costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount corresponding to the amount reimbursed for each expense by the JSIS, with an overall maximum of 25,000 EUR per insured and per calendar year
[23] Taxes in Belgium: 9.25 %.
[24] Except within13 months of recruitment
[25] Outside the European Economic Area, the healthcare costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum amount corresponding to the amount reimbursed for each expense by the JSIS, with an overall maximum of 25,000 EUR per insured and per calendar year
[26] Except within13 months of recruitment. Except if subscription results from a switch between another policy and EUROSANTE
[27] Premiums as shown include taxes (9,25% in Belgium).
[28] Available only in Luxemburg for fiscal reasons !
[29] No medical questionnaire, however the insurance company declares: As long as the candidate has a link with Europe and is sound of mind and able-bodied at the inception date of the policy, any EU staff member (active or retired) under the age of 70 is eligible for coverage under Europat Insurance (EUI).
[30] . Declaration in the application form: I declare to be healthy and I do not intend to have surgery, medical or dental treatment or be hospitalised in the near future, as far as I know at the moment of signing this application form.
[31] The insurer may terminate the insurance contract, for example if the insured’s reimbursement statistics are considered to result from exaggeration, misrepresentation or fraud.
[32] However, staff in temporary disability or on LPG can pay to maintain the statutory accident insurance.
[33] This does not apply to the AIACE HIGH RISK policy but is included in the HIGH RISK and ACCIDENT policy
[34] Should be applicable for children in the future.
[35] Supplementary to the accident cover, hence also covers death as a result of illness.
[36] Important if a third person is involved in the accident.