Free EHIC Discussion

cook0891

I rang the insurance company when I was back and because of the excess being the same amount as what I paid out I decided wasn't worth claiming.

I then had a phone call this week (2 weeks since back) from them saying I wanted to make a claim. I said no and reasons why. I then asked about EHIC card and this is when they said not valid in Spain.

All this was before saw this thread.

cook0891

I have just rang back and spoken to them. They are sending me some claim forms to fill in and then they will make a decision.

pogofish

mirkle wrote: »

As the EHIC website tells you nothing about how to renew a card,

Absolute rubbish!

The EHIC site explains renewal and the info needed quite clearly:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

cook0891

An update for those who interested...

Had email from insurance company....


Dear Mr Cook,



On reviewing the receipt andinvoice forwarded to us by yourself, I can see that the payment you made to theclinic was in line with the excess of your policy. The particular insurancepolicy that you purchased through Insurance Republic had an excess of £150,which means that you, as the policyholder, are liable for the first £150 of anytreatment received abroad. Using today’s exchange rate, £150 equates toapproximately €206; bearing in mind that the exchange rate fluctuates daily,the money paid by yourself is more or less the exact amount of the excess.Unfortunately, the excess of your policy is a non-refundable figure, meaningthat you will not be able to claim back the €199.63 paid out by yourself to thehospital.



In regards to somebody fromGlobal Response advising you that the EHIC is not valid in Balearic Islands –there was possibly a little miscommunication here. The EHIC is of course validin the Balearic Islands at state hospitals. However, Cl!nica Juaneda – whereHarry was treated - is not a state hospital, and EHIC does not cover treatmentat a private facility.



We work with Cl!nica Juaneda ona day-to-day basis, and they regularly notify us of a patient’s treatment andthen request they pay their excess at the hospital, with the patient often notrealising there are still outstanding costs on departure. This is perhaps whathappened in your case – where you thought that the €199.63 that you paid wasthe overall costs. However, there are some outstanding costs which havebeen covered by your travel insurance.



Chargecare International is acompany enlisted by your travel insurance, much like Global Response, whoassist the insurance company in containing costs relating to treatment abroad.I can assure you they are a legitimate company who are currently involved inpaying the outstanding costs to Cl!nica Juaneda.



I hope this email clarifiesthings slightly, but should you need any more information or have any doubts, pleasedon’t hesitate to contact us.



Kindregards,

Grumpelstiltskin

OK It has been explained to you now, so what with the fact it wasn't a state hospital and the excess on the policy was more than the bill you don't have a claim.


The lesson to learn from this is that you should make sure before you travel what the excess is and to be careful which hospital you use.

cook0891

Yes I have no issue now it has all been explained to me, my problem was I was getting mis-information.

I understood had excess and that would need to be paid.

My reply to them was that I wish I was given an option of hospital but at the time and when 7 year old son in pain you don't really think as clearly and just do what need to. I had no idea it was a private hospital.

Oh well all sorted and thanks for peoples replies, help and advice.

gfplux

Everyone's problem is the same. You expect the "help line" of an insurance company to know the rules. Probably that same person is as I write telling someone else some inaccurate information.

Piggiesnorter

Hi,

My Mother in Law has been recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I want to know what her EHIC card covers if she were to come to the UK to visit us and what it doesn't cover-Can anyone help Me please?

Grumpelstiltskin

Piggiesnorter wrote: »

Hi,

My Mother in Law has been recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I want to know what her EHIC card covers if she were to come to the UK to visit us and what it doesn't cover-Can anyone help Me please?

Information here.



http://www.pah.nhs.uk/files/b)%20Entitlement%20EEA%20Visitors.pdf

artichoke

i have just returned from France and unfortunately both me and my daughter had to visit the GP whilst there. We both showed our EHIC cards but it was explained we had to make a payment and then claim it back.

We both payed Euros 50 and then paid for prescriptions as well.

I have now been looking up if we can claim any of this back and see that in france you have to pay the same charge as a French citizen....

"Does an EHIC make treatment free?

No. You get treated the same way as a citizen of that country. If they get free medical treatment then you do too – if they pay, you pay the same rates. As this is a reciprocal agreement across Europe, it also means EU citizens can use the NHS in the same way."

so do i presume that French citizens pay 50 euros per consultation? how do i find out if this is true? It was a state doctors surgery not a private one. I have looked at our travel insurance and the excess is £150 pounds so we would not be covered.

Art