[Bevdeforges]

There are a couple variations on what "could" happen if you arrive early with the visa. But why tempt fate? When you apply for your visa, you need to give them the earliest possible travel date. The visa (which is something affixed to your passport, whether a document or a stamp) only allows you to enter France. Once arrived, you need to get a residence permit (titre or carte de séjour) and that's what allows you to stay.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Bevdeforges]

Good point, Ray - the date on the visa is the validity date. If you don't specify anything else, it will be the date the visa is granted. If you have a travel date established, you can ask when you apply for the visa to have that used as the validity date (mostly useful if your travel date is more than a few weeks after the consulate appointment).

The timing for your first "titre de séjour" is based on the validity date of the visa on which you entered. So to the extent that you delay entering France, you just knock time off the first year of your residence permit and will have to start the renewal process that much sooner.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Bevdeforges]

Thanks Ray, I do have BC/BS for my primary insurance right now. I'll start Medicare later this year and then BC/BS will become my secondary. But from what you said, that should be fine. I just need to check if the GeoBlue is available in Florida.

I love this forum for all the great advice from those who have gone down this path already!!!

Assuming you know this already, but your Medicare is worthless in France. Medicare will only cover you outside the US if you are within shouting distance of the border in an emergency situation - so Canada and Mexico only. (And even then, only if the closest hospital just happens to be across the border.)

Once you live in France, Medicare is only a "back up" to travel insurance when you're making visits back to the Old Country.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Bevdeforges]

Yes I am aware of the limits on Medicare.

I've done a few online quotes for expat insurance. Am I misreading what I've found - that the premiums can be as much as $1800/month? If so, yikes!

You may want to take a look at the expat insurance offered by AARO (an association of American expats) https://aaro.org/medical-insurance I usually suggest this only because it's a group policy and they are pretty open about publishing their rates sheet online so that you can compare it with whatever other policies you're considering.

The AARO policy is constructed for US expats - and apparently is intended to be used with Medicare for those who may want to return to the US for certain types of treatment. It will at least give you a basis of comparison.
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Bevdeforges]

I suppose the only thing to check on the BCBS policy is that it will cover you in France. (Not sure how these things work any more, but I have heard that some US insurers actually do have lists of doctors and hospitals that are "in network" for their coverage in foreign countries.)
Cheers,
Bev

 

[Bevdeforges]

Bev I did check and there's a huge network in Paris and all throughout France.

Great! Your next step might be to contact your BCBS office to get a letter from them regarding your coverage. I've known folks (here on the forum) who say that they got a letter that explains to the consulate that the coverage meets the visa requirements (or at least that outlines what the cover for overseas care involves). That generally seems to satisfy the consulate.
Cheers,
Bev