European Health Insurance Card - E111

wkt54

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I can't find anything after a quick search. Just a general question.

I'm trying to find out if someone is in a car accident or has a heart attack etc, when they are abroad, if they have not taken out travel insurance - does the EHIC cover you for all medical expenses.

Or would you end up having to pay a substantial amount.

Thanks

richardw

No,

yes you would.

Andy_Hamilton

The health card keeps you alive much the same as here but does not cover expensive drugs you may need and it will do nothing about getting you home.

Our Aunty had a stroke in Greace and it cost a fortune to get her home.
Never risk it!

ManAtHome

EHIC docs here http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/index.htm

As I understand it, you're entitled to NHS equivalent treatment within the EU, for anything extra (private, dental etc treatment, repatriation) you also need travel insurance.

wkt54

Thanks.

I want to spend 8 months in Europe this year in a few different countries, but am not eligible to take out travel insurance, as I have not spent 6 months out of the last 12 in the UK.

Any idea what I can do for medical insurance, as I want to be covered.

Voyager2002

A company called Global Nomads or something will probably cover you. They are based in Australia but do a lot of business over the internet, and are linked with the Lonely Planet organisation.

wkt54

Thanks Voyager.

I have spent 8 months in different countries in the last year, so when I tried to take out travel insurance for another trip, everyone asked if I had lived in the UK at least 6 months of the last 12, so they refused me.

I have just rang Nomads and a girl said I can still take it out with them.

I have just sent an email for written confirmation - I hope she wasn't wrong.

wkt54

I have just spoken with GoTravel - who are cheaper than Nomad.

I asked if I took out a travel insurance policy to go to Spain for 4 months, came back to the UK for a week,and took out another policy for 3 months in France, does that mean because I will have spent more than 6 months out of the UK, I would not be able to take out a further policy.

But they said I could - even though they ask if you have spent 6 months in the UK out of the last 12.

I have been told by other companies I could not.

wkt54

Anyone know if, when a travel insurance company asks - have you been resident in the UK for 6 months out of the last 12 - if you haven't they will still let you take out a policy?

zappahey

ManAtHome wrote: »

EHIC docs here http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/index.htm

As I understand it, you're entitled to NHS equivalent treatment within the EU, for anything extra (private, dental etc treatment, repatriation) you also need travel insurance.

Depends what you mean by "NHS equivalent". The EHIC entitles you to the same treatment as a resident of the country that you are visiting, so you will pay for whatever a local pays for.

My experience was Belgium where you pay for everything (bed, treatment, drugs, meals) but claim back about 90% of the cost from the local mutualite.

wkt54

This is from an email from the DH:

I am happy to confirm that the EHIC scheme will enable you to obtain necessary or urgent state provided medical treatment whilst you are visiting a member country state of the European Economic Area (EEA). The treatment provided will be in line with that provided to residents of the country you are visiting. The medical services available under the different state schemes may differ from those available in the UK and in some countries residents are required to contribute towards the cost of treatment, e.g. in France, patients are required to contribute up to 25% of the costs of the treatment received.
You are correct in your understanding that the EHIC scheme does not cover repatriation in any circumstances nor does it provide healthcare received from a private facility; additionally it does not cover ambulance travel where that is provided by a private company; or costs associate with deferred return dates due to receiving medical treatment.
We always recommend that travellers should obtain purchase travel insurance with medical cover to ensure they are fully protected.