• CSG - Cotisation Sociale Genèralisé
• CRDS - Contribution au Remboursement de la Dette Sociale 
• AF - Allocations Familiales 

These contributions go to pay for the social security national organisation, which is composed of the following:

CPAM - Caisse Primaire d'Assurances Maladie

This is the body that deals with anything medical - doctors and dentists, hospitalisation, pregnancy, accidents at work, death and so forth. When you have your social security number from this organisation you are entitled to full social security benefits. Your contributions are paid each month to CPAM, giving you social security cover.

CAF - Caisse d'Allocations Familiales

This is the local body that deals with all things related to the allowances and benefits to which we are all entitled, including family allowance, rent allowance, single parent allowance and so forth.

Carte Vitale

This green coloured card is given to you (sometimes you must ask for it) when you receive your social security number and replaces the old prescription (ordonnance), which is however still in use in some situations. You pay your medical practitioner who registers your payment with the card which sets the reimbursement process into action. Equally you can use the Carte Vitale in laboratories, pharmacies and other medical situations. Note: Not all medications are reimbursed - your medical practitioner can advise you.

You need to update your card regularly every six months, which you can do in the machines made especially for this purpose in mairies, hospitals, and the CPAM offices. You need to do this at least twice a year, and when you change address or when other family members are added. To update your card, place it in the machine and press mise à jour (update).

Caisse de Retraite

This is the organisation that looks after your retirement pension. You are allocated this Caisse according to your profession. If you are self-employed you are given a choice, but it is still obligatory.

URSSAF 

URSSAF, the Union de Recouvrement des cotisations de la Sécurité Sociale et d'Allocations Familiales is the body that looks after self-employed people. It is to them that you apply when you want to be a travailleur independent. URSSAF collect your social security contributions and you are attributed a CAF according to your profession entitling you to family allowance and so forth. As a self-employed person you do not depend on the local CPAM, you are allocated an organisation related to your profession, but this functions in exactly the same way as a CPAM. 

Assistante Sociale - Social Worker

Assistantes Sociales are there to help you with any problem or need for information relating to Social Security benefits and other social affairs that involve family members. They will tell you what to do or what paperwork is needed to claim allowances and put this to the appropriate people, advise on what you should do in case of divorce, child abuse, financial difficulties and so forth. They can be contacted via your local Mairie. Most Mairies have set times when you can see an Assistante Sociale, no appointments are necessary, normally you wait your turn.

Assurance Mutuelle or Top up insurance

The obligatory social security pays up to 70% of your medical costs, and 100% for pregnancy and in other specific circumstances. To ensure that you are covered for the 30% that you have to pay, you can buy a mutuelle, or compliment insurance from any insurance broker. This is a nationally recognised scheme and works very well with the Social Security. Prices vary according to the company, so it is always best to shop around. You can have 100% cover, or 150% or more if you choose. This basically means that the percentage that the doctor or dentist charges over and above the official limit (barême) will be reimbursed. There are various schemes available giving different benefits for different needs, and this needs to be carefully chosen with your insurance broker.

Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM) the French Alps

To find the CPAM office closest to you, you can use the White Pages of the French online telephone directory. 

• Enter CPAM and the name or number of your département in the White Pages

Further Information and Contacts

• General information from the French Government Web site (in French)
• Information from the French Government web site on CSG Cotisation Sociale Genèralisé (in French) 
• Information from the French Government website on CRDS Contribution au Remboursement de la Dette Sociale (in French) 
• URSSAF
• CAF Caisse D'Allocations Familiales (in French)
• CANAM Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie: The overriding authority over all CPAM offices.
• AMELI Assurance Maladie en Ligne (in French)

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