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As several British retirees with S1 healthcare forms report receiving letters warning of possible ‘Puma’ health charges to come - one reader has told Connexion how he has now been incorrectly billed €5,296.

Frank Wilding, 84, from Menton, said he and his wife were levied the sum by their regional Urssaf. They were unable to have it cancelled despite sending a Cpam attestation confirming their status as UK OAPs.

They had contested by phone, email and recorded delivery but, having no reply, paid out of fear of late payment penalties, with a plan to reclaim the amount later.

Mr Wilding also contacted the UK’s Department of Work and Pensions who assured him he was fully covered by the UK.

A spokeswoman for the Urssafs said anyone with such issues should contact their branch: UK pensioners who had contested having to pay but were awaiting a reply would not face penalties if they missed the payment deadline. The issue concerns the first bills sent under the Puma system which replaced the CMU de base.