France: Shock for New Parents as Complementary Health Insurance Is Suspended During Additional Maternity Leave

Many new parents in France were surprised by the suspension of their complementary health insurance (Mutuelle) and provident scheme (Prévoyance) coverage as soon as they availed themselves of the new additional maternity leave (CSN), which came into effect on July 1. This has left numerous families facing high medical bills without reimbursement for medical fee overruns.

The Shock of Bills and Fee Overruns

Mothers and fathers express their frustration over this sudden measure during a period when the need for medical care and continuous follow-up for infants increases. Testimonies from Paris and its suburbs, such as Val-de-Marne, highlight the accumulation of pediatrician appointments costing over 90 euros without any financial reimbursement from complementary insurance, placing a severe financial burden on family budgets.

A Legal Loophole Linked to the Suspension of the Employment Contract

According to what was enacted in the 2026 Social Security Financing Law and implemented by government decree, the maintenance of complementary insurance is not automatic. Social protection lawyer Nelly Jean-Marie points out that the employment contract is considered suspended during the period of additional leave, and consequently, the standard contributions paid by the employee and employer cease. Coverage is only maintained if the employer decides to pay part or all of a complementary salary, or if the employee assumes payment of the full contributions (both their share and the employer's share).

Government Confusion and Parliamentary Moves to Amend the Text

This issue sparked heated debate in the National Assembly, where Socialist MP for the Loire department, Pierrick Courbon, submitted a written question to the government on September 1, warning of the cessation of coverage at a time when family health needs are most critical. The government's stance saw confusion; on September 29, the government announced an obligation for the employer to pay, before retracting in a correction issued on October 20 to confirm that the obligation is conditional upon the payment of a salary top-up.

Parliamentary groups are currently moving to amend the legislation within the 2027 Social Security Financing Bill. Senator for Pas-de-Calais, Brigitte Bourguignon, spearheaded an amendment in cooperation with the National Union of Family Associations (Unaf) to ensure the continuity of social protection, emphasizing that the lack of health coverage for newborns and mothers in the early months represents an obstacle to families taking advantage of the additional leave.