The State System
The state provides free basic health cover to all citizens and the Caisse de Maladie collects healthcare contributions. All employed citizens and their employers contribute to the system. Employers deduct each employee’s contributions directly from their salaries. The average contribution is around 5.44 percent of gross income, with a maximum contribution of 6,225 EUR. Employees and employers pay half each. Self-employed people must make their own contributions and the amount they pay depends upon their profession. Most manual workers and their employers pay 9.9 percent, divided equally between both parties. State benefits to vulnerable groups is paid net of healthcare contributions as thought the benefit authority was paying the contributions in a way an employer would. The rate amounts to 5.2 percent divided equally between the benefit authority and the beneficiary.
 
All dependant family members are covered by contributing family members. Students and unemployed children are covered up until 27 years of age.

State healthcare covers the majority of treatment provided by GPs and specialists as well as laboratory tests, pregnancy, childbirth, rehabilitation, prescriptions and hospitalisation.

Long-term care is financed through separate insurance called assurance dépendence.

Foreigners who wish to reside in the country without working (e.g. pensioners) must show proof of health insurance when they apply for their residence permit.