What is Portability?
When the employment contract ends, Portability allows the employee to continue to be protected by mutual insurance (health + provident) after leaving the company for a certain period of time, if certain conditions are met.
It means they continue to benefit from guaranteed health costs in effect in the company. If the company has a provident fund ("prevoyance") as well, they also benefit from portability for warranties related to the risk of death, incapacity for work and disability.
Conditions to qualify for Portability:
The EE has joined the supplementary company health scheme
The employment contract has been terminated for a reason other than gross negligence.
Termination of the employment contract entitles the EE to reimbursement by the unemployment insurance scheme. (e.g., legitimate resignation, approved contractual termination, dismissal (except for gross misconduct), including economic dismissal.)
What does the EE need to do?
They don't have to pay anything --> If they meet the conditions, portability is their right.
However, they must provide proof to the insurer that they are covered by the unemployment insurance system.
The employer indicates the maintenance of these guarantees in the employment certificate and informs the insurer of the termination of the employment contract.
If the employee is at the end of their rights, they must inform the insurer of the cessation of payment of unemployment insurance benefits.
When does the Portability start?
The EE continues to benefit from the company's additional health and welfare (=prevoyance) guarantees from the date the employment contract ends.
When does the Portability end?
Usually, it is for a period equal to the unemployment compensation period, but it cannot exceed 12 months (1 year).
The continuation of the coverage ends:
At the end of the rights maintenance period (for example: the EE is no longer compensated by France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi))
Or in the event of taking a new job, leading to the end of the unemployment compensation.
Source (if any): gov.fr; payroll vendor