Free EHIC Discussion 28 May 2010 at 12:37PM edited 2 June 2010 at 1:59PM in Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning 292 replies 98.8K views

Gloomendoom

Unless you like taking risks, or have deep pockets, you will need insurance if you visit the Channel Islands. There is no reciprocal agreement any more.

Tarry

When my purse was stolen it had my EHIC card in it, so I phoned up on Monday to get a new one and I got it today, how is that for quick service?

jone5

How can we reclaim the £10 fee if it's now free?

dzug1

jone5 wrote: »

How can we reclaim the £10 fee if it's now free?

It's always been free.

The £10 is a fee you paid to an agent to apply for it for you.

:DThey used their greater expertise and knowledge to save you hunting for the free site - and knowing when you had found it:D

Ponkle22

I recently renewed our EHIC cards (after realising I had been travelling for the past couple of years on an expired one). It arrived within 5 working days.

When I needed to use it for my son (blocked ears/ear infection) the holiday site we were staying at all played 'dumb' with regards to telling us where the local Dr's office was and opening hours. When a new employee starting to say her colleague had used the local Dr's and could ask her where it was she was quickly 'shut up' by the boss. (Interesting!). However, they all knew how to contact the private Doctor to whom I had to get extra Euros out to pay 80 Euros for examination and treatment. (Obviously the staff were not going to pay 'private' charges for their own health now, were they?!).

When I phoned for a claim form from my travel insurance I was grilled over the phone about whether I had a current EHIC card, whether I had offered it or tried to use a local Dr's service - I felt I wasn't really believed that I wanted to use a local Dr's service. I did not want to have to take out 80 euros and pay a private doctor when a local Dr could have done the same for less money.

Obviously I now lose the excess from my claim plus Im at mercy of their version of the current exchange rate to pay me back.

So I don't think the EHIC is good in minor treatments, but obviously if you need emergency help at a hospital for major situation then its invaluable for helping the situation, alongside your travel insurance.

Metmaddie

My EHIC card has just expired. I'm getting married in April so want to renew it but change the surname. Is it possible to do this now, although it won't be my current surname? There isn't time to do it after the wedding as we're going on honeymoon straight away.

richardw

Perhaps the name that matches your passport and your NI number and NHS number.

brigbuff

Would anybody know if there is a way to claim back French medical treatment for a UK national who did not get an EHIC car prior to travelling to France this summer. An invoice has now been received. Is there not still a reciprocal arrangements between France and the UK and a post treatment claim can be made?
Thank you

dzug1

brigbuff wrote: »

Would anybody know if there is a way to claim back French medical treatment for a UK national who did not get an EHIC car prior to travelling to France this summer. An invoice has now been received. Is there not still a reciprocal arrangements between France and the UK and a post treatment claim can be made?
Thank you

The reciprocal arrangements are the EHIC, but if you call the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle), 0191 218 1999 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm) they may be able to help
.
If they do accept your claim, you won't get the full invoice back - you will have to pay whatever a French resident would have done for your treatment

flashman_62

I Googled EHIC and clicked on the first link. I ended up paying £9.90 for each card for me and my daughter :mad: