What's the deal with EHIC??

Widelats

I recently been to hospital, and i then got told i can not use the EHIC for 3 months now, as it won't work abroad for at least 3 months after my last hospital visit -

Is that right?

PeacefulWaters

i then got told i can not use the EHIC for 3 months

Who told you this?

Widelats

A friend overseas that i am going to visit, said i won't get no medical care now for 3 months in another country. Is she wrong?

Pollycat

Widelats wrote: »

A friend overseas that i am going to visit, said i won't get no medical care now for 3 months in another country. Is she wrong?

I think she is.

Ask where she has got her information from.

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

Widelats

Pollycat wrote: »

I think she is.

Ask where she has got her information from.

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

It might be the case other Euuro countries. Cheers Polly.

DTDfanBoy

I don't think there are any limits regarding how often you can use the card, just be aware that it covers different things in different countries.

This will give you a rundown of the what is offered in each country

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/EEAcountries.aspx

InsideInsurance

She is wrong

You are only not covered for treatment if your reason for travel is for medical treatment.

Of course what you are actually covered for is only the same as locals and not all EU countries have as comprehensive or straight forward public health service as the UK.

peachyprice

Yes, she is wrong.

Is she perhaps getting confused with not being able to use it for travel tourism?

If, for example, you needed a knee operation and the waiting list was 6 months, you couldn't walk into a hospital in the EU and use your EHIC for immediate treatment.

If you'd already had a knee operation in the UK then went on holiday and the knee became infected, you would be able to use your EHIC for treatment.

As for 'won't work', it's not an active card than can have restrictions applied on it electronically.

Widelats

OK thanks i guess she was wrong. Its a relief to me.

PeacefulWaters

Widelats wrote: »

OK thanks i guess she was wrong. Its a relief to me.

Relying on EHIC is a dangerous game though.

Travel insurance is a very good idea.

InsideInsurance

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Relying on EHIC is a dangerous game though.

Travel insurance is a very good idea.

Travel insurance is in addition to EHIC. Assuming you would be covered by EHIC then travel insurance wont pay out for that which the EHIC would cover.

It does still cover other things that EHIC wouldnt, like a medivac back to the UK if you're going to need to stay in hospital for weeks or months but are safe to move.