Qs and As

A missionary can change option when they change country of care or when their responsibilities mean they have to travel; membership is half-yearly; changes can be made each quarter.

Membership is effective from 1 January, because IMS membership is for whole half-years or quarters, namely 1 January, 1 April, 1 July or 1 October. For a request to join made for example on 1 February, the IMS enrols the new member on 1 April.

No, there is no age limit nor medical questionnaire. From the age of 65, support for hospitalisation costs is however limited to 6 months over the year for the same complaint.

Since enrolment is personal (allocation of a registration number), the contract cannot benefit a new arrival.

Yes, the section must have the name of the contact in charge of the group. This person will receive explanations and documents to ensure they are an effective intermediary between its members and the section.

A particular case may arise in a congregation or a diocese which may give rise to a review by this committee, for example, when the IMS’ principles cannot be complied with scrupulously or when the articles of the congregation raise questions.

A community which enrols a group to the IMS makes a 3-year commitment. If for a particular reason, the community requests that this group should be removed before the 3-year period, and it wishes to join again, a 6-month waiting period will apply, during which no benefit will be paid.

Collective membership is a basic principle of the IMS, as the superior or the bishop must provide social protection to all their members. There are situations where men or women religious or priests are excluded from the rule, such as those already insured by local / national insurance.

Membership takes effect every half-year (when the Group revises its list) or quarterly (arrival during the year), which enables a Group to plan ahead; membership with retroactive effect is not allowed.

Yes, it is normal. The IMS does not issue a card, but will provide a certificate on request to the Section.

Any half-year started is payable; the priest benefits from IMS services until 31 December.

Yes, this is possible, but any half-year started is payable.

When an IMS Group has economic difficulties, the contributions reduction committee can study the situation to possibly decide to grant one-off exceptional assistance. The request must be made to the Section (letter setting out the reasons from the person in charge of the community accompanied by the accounting position of the 3 previous years).

Each IMS Group pays a premium for membership of the IMS; it is identical regardless of the number of members enrolled. 50% is paid in early January and then 50% in early July.

The Sections send their invoice to each Group in early January (payment of 50% of the annual premium) and in early July (the remaining 50%).

To be taken into account by a section, the healthcare invoices for reimbursement must be sent within 2 years of the date of the healthcare.

With some hospitals with which there are agreements (Saint-Christophe in France, Abidjan), the IMS will pay the invoice (except the fee for a room). You must check in advance, because payment must be requested from the section.

Electronic invoices are accepted by the Sections (sent by email), accompanied by a summary statement (downloadable from the website). We recommend you limit the number of invoices per statement to 10 (begin a new one if more than 10).

The amount of IMS assistance is described in detail in the Services Guide. The Sections are available to reply more precisely if necessary. Paid invoices (not quotations) are sent to the IMS to receive assistance.

One of the principles of the IMS lies in the choice of the country of care. Since reimbursements are made according to the option and to the area, invoices should be presented which are issued in the country which lies within the scope of the countries corresponding to the chosen option.

It is possible to contact and go directly to one of these hospitals, presenting proof of membership of the IMS (issued by the IMS Section). On request, the local IMS Section can provide all details.

The list of hospitals is displayed on the IMS website; the purpose of the agreement is shown.

Any group can make a social fund aid request using the formula available on the IMS website.

Care costs are reimbursed and may give rise to supplementary assistance from the Social Fund when the care is provided in the country corresponding to the option. The individual files are processed by the Section.

Requests can be sent throughout the year. The social fund committees meet on regular dates (level 1: contact the section; level 2: half-yearly committees).

Changing to an International Option (1 or 2) is made on presentation of a mission statement.

It is possible to receive care and be reimbursed in the countries of Area B as well as in those of the “lower” areas (C, D, E).

The choice of Options is determined according to the countries as described in the Services Guide). Generally, a Group enrols the members of a country in the same Option. It can also constitute several colleges (e.g. men religious in an international Option because they travel / the other in a local Option).

On receipt of the list to be updated (end of a half-year), the Group manager will make the request (enclosing the mission statement) and if approved this will take effect from the following half-year.

Yes, they can change to Option 1 (in the case of a change of country of mission, while remaining in the group, for example, where they are given a responsibility which requires regular travel to an Option 1 country). Transfer due to an illness is not allowed.

Yes, medical evacuation is reserved for members of Options 1 & 2 (so-called “international” options).

IMS participates 80% of the cost of 5 air tickets (economy seats).

The medical evacuation request is validated by Mutas before purchase of the tickets.

Medical evacuation is reserved for cases of serious affection requiring hospitalisation within 8 days following the evacuation.

Yes, MUTAS will prefer evacuation to a nearby country with appropriate medical infrastructure. The country of origin is not therefore necessarily the destination.

You must contact MUTAS; their alarm centre is available 24/7 phone 33 32 2 272 09 00 / fax 00 32 2 270 03 05.

The Guide is available by download in various languages from the IMS website.