Free EHIC Discussion

Pollycat

callum9999 wrote: »

What site was it? I just googled EHIC and the first result is the official website, the second is moneysavingexpert, the third is the post office and the fourth is a broker who doesn't charge for online applications.

I really don't understand how so many people who claim they are savvy see a random website that charges for it and just blindly assume that it's now charged for. In regards to you getting a refund, you'll have to look at the terms of the site you used - many of them have started refunding people on request.

I Googled EHIC and the first 3 were sites which charged.

Good advice to brownpop about refunds.
I can never understand why people caught out don't look at the website they used to see what it says about refunds.

I've looked at a number of these sites and all seem to have a statement about refunds, but as brownpop doesn't mention which site he/she used it's impossible to help.

However, as the card has not been received, I would get in touch with them again as that is a different scenario than being charged for something that can be obtained free.
They've taken money but not delivered the goods.

And as callum9999 says, if they clearly state they are charging a 'service' fee for something you can get free but you don't read that - and on most websites I've looked at, they state that loud and clear - then they aren't breaking the law.

I think that's why they aren't being shut down.

trinity_enigma

Hoping someone can help me - I am getting married in August and going on honeymoon about 5 days after. The honeymoon is booked in my married name and I have applied for my passport in my married name.

Can I apply for the EHIC in my married name before the wedding?

Also have looked at the form and it gives the option of adding a spouse - is that just info on the card or does adding a spouse mean you are applying for their card?

Pollycat

As everything will be in your married name, apply in your married name.

Not 100% sure about your other question, but there are no spousal details on the card so I think 'adding a spouse' must mean that you are applying for a separate card.

Don't forget to always carry your card with you.
Even if you have one back at the hotel, if you need medical help and can't show your card you may have to pay.

DCFC79

There was an article in yesterdays Guardian about these copy cat websites for the EHIC card, driving licence etc.

macmac_2

The general situation is explained at MSE's Country-by-Country EHIC Guide link for France in the FREE EHIC GUIDE article.

However, as you will be dealing with French bureaucratic processes their are some extra details you need to take account of, an important one even before you start your journey.

You need to check with the local branch of your bank to obtain its IBAN and BIC as both of those will be required in addition to its name, address and sort code. You will also have to supply the name and number of your account into which you will want your refund transferred... eventually. BUT ABOVE ALL, make sure you take a couple of the Paying-in/Bank Giro Credit slips from the back of your cheque book to serve as what is called a RIB (pronounced ReeeB) in France, without which your own provision of your bank details will not be believed/accepted.

In addition to providing the address of your UK domicile, you will also need to state your temporary address where you are staying in France to prove that you are within the local CPAM's catchment area, whether hotel, B&B, gîte, camping site, etc. You will also be asked for the telephone number for where you are staying and that of your own mobile... not forgetting to start that off with 00.44 before 7XXX, ignoring the zero before the 7.

I suggest that it is worthwhile taking a few minutes at home to type up all the above details and print off a couple of copies to keep with your passport, together with the ReeeBs!

You can find the address of your local Caisse Primaire D‘Assurance Maladie (CPAM), which you have to visit to make your claim via a face-to-face interview (take reading material for the Waiting Room wait!) in the local telephone directory or ask your hosts. If you are not confident in your use of French, do try and go with someone who understands enough English to be able to translate into the appropriate French terminology.

Before going to the CPAM office, take photocopies of all your French health care documents from doctors, dentists, pharmacies, hospitals, etc., some to keep (the originals staying with the CPAM), some to leave with the CPAM, while you get to keep the originals. For most common conditions, expect to get back around 60%, which allows for the % that the French citizen has to cover before they have a refund of the balance. Even so, that is usually a better deal than you will get from a claim on your travel insurance, allowing for the excess amounts you have to cover.

My wife is French, my Ma-in-Law does not speak English (but understands more than she will admit!) and we were resident in France for 10 years. Even so, or perhaps because of, I am still wary of the French bureaucracy and the varying attitudes of local bureaucrats towards the non-French they deal with. Just play it cool; don't keep muttering "Mais c'est pas comme ça chez nous"; and if they tell you that there is yet another piece of paper missing, politely ask them to write down the title of the desired document and where you have to get it from, enabling you to just wave it under someone's nose with a cheery smile at the stated location... before staggering back to the CPAM. Bonne chance, cher ami.

speacock36

My daughter has just telephoned me from Zante Greece and informed me after feeling ill for 4 days she has jsut been seen in a surgery and charged 40 euro's reduced from 100 euro's and 17.50 euros for antibiotics. I ensure when she goes away she has her holiday insurance and a valid EHIC card.
I watched a programme the other week stating we shouldnt be charged being in the EU so how has this happened and how do i go about getting her money back now she is jsut short of 60 euros short on her holiday spends?? I have read some sites, telling people to keep receipts and she can be reimbursed through a phone number in newcastle and others stating you have to claim on your holiday insurance. Which is true and what do we do?

ranb

You can now get a translation card saying that you need treatment on your EHIC at a state facility,there is a card for every country covered by your EHIC. It comes with a double clear plastic wallet to hold Your EHIC and translation card side by side.You can get them from EHTC-LTD.co.uk or at, getyourcard@ehtc-ltd.co.uk

webjeff

Hi RanB

Glad to see someone else has also found this site European Health Translation Card (EHTC-LTD). They do not sell EHIC cards so they are not scammers and I do not think they are connected to EHIC.
I bought two Spanish Translation cards for me and the wife. They have all the EU countries covered.
With all the ho ha over the NHS-EHIC cards not being accepted I thought I would make sure they knew I needed to be treated on my EHIC and was not prepared to use my travel insurance to cover it.
Its a great idea. Not sure why everyone does not have one. They were very helpfull and informative. I received my cards and wallets in the post first class the next day. Very impressed.

Webjeff

ranb wrote: »

You can now get a translation card saying that you need treatment on your EHIC at a state facility,there is a card for every country covered by your EHIC. It comes with a double clear plastic wallet to hold Your EHIC and translation card side by side.You can get them from EHTC-LTD.co.uk or at, [EMAIL="getyourcard@ehtc-ltd.co.uk"]getyourcard@ehtc-ltd.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Pollycat

speacock36 wrote: »

My daughter has just telephoned me from Zante Greece and informed me after feeling ill for 4 days she has jsut been seen in a surgery and charged 40 euro's reduced from 100 euro's and 17.50 euros for antibiotics. I ensure when she goes away she has her holiday insurance and a valid EHIC card.
I watched a programme the other week stating we shouldnt be charged being in the EU so how has this happened and how do i go about getting her money back now she is jsut short of 60 euros short on her holiday spends?? I have read some sites, telling people to keep receipts and she can be reimbursed through a phone number in newcastle and others stating you have to claim on your holiday insurance. Which is true and what do we do?

Did she actually have the card with her when she went for treatment?

If she did, did she show it at the time of treatment and was then refused free treatment/drugs?
Don't forget that the EHIC gives your daughter the same right to treatment/drugs as a resident, so she would have to pay what a person living Greece would have to pay for.
e.g. here in the UK someone on holiday would have to pay prescription charges as UK residents have to pay them.

I saw a piece on (I think) Martin Lewis's programme a few weeks ago and the card is no good if it's in your hotel safe....

Sneezyweasle

As long as your daughter still has her bills and receipts for her treatment and medication she can call the Overseas Healthcare Team on 0191 218 1999 to claim a refund. She will need to quote her national insurance number. Having an EHIC card will not entitle anyone to free healthcare, it just means that you are treated on the same basis as a national of the country that you are in. If you receive state healthcare then you can call the number above and apply for a refund.