Arcachon Basin: in turn, Arès will offer a municipal mutual insurance plan to its residents and workers

Like Andernos-les-Bains or Arcachon, the town of Arès has concluded an agreement with the Mutuelle Familiale so that the latter can offer Arès residents and those who work in the town mutual health insurance.

Mutuelle Familiale is fast becoming the preferred health insurance company in the Arcachon Basin. The towns of Arcachon, La Teste-de-Buch, Le Teich, Biganos, and Andernos-les-Bains have already signed an agreement with it, and Arès has now done so as well this Friday, May 9th.

"Security isn't just about law enforcement," explained Xavier Daney, the nonpartisan mayor of Arès, "but also about medical security. Thirty percent of people don't have mutual insurance and forgo care. Since the state isn't creating accessible mutual insurance, once again, local authorities must address its shortcomings."

The plan was first offered to employees, with the added benefit, starting January ^1, 2025. "And then I realized that some of the city's employees didn't have mutual insurance," the mayor confessed. "In June, we're opening this offer to all Arès residents and anyone who works in Arès, with advantageous negotiated rates."

The Mutuelle Familiale has existed since 1937, born out of the union movement like many other mutual insurance companies (the CGT Métallurgie at the time). It is non-profit. "Our objectives," argued François Morais, head of development in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, "are to combat the neglect of healthcare, to influence purchasing power with a less expensive alternative, and to restore proximity with weekly consultations." He assures that the Mutuelle Familiale supports people from A to Z, including the termination of their current contract. And promises savings of 20 to 30%.

Four levels of coverage, and therefore four rates, are offered, "so as not to be over- or under-covered." And this without income conditions, prior medical questionnaire, age limit, entry fee, or waiting period.

Office hours, expected to be weekly on Tuesdays during the launch in June, will be set up fairly quickly and a public meeting will be set up very quickly to inform residents.