|
It
is vital when travelling abroad you carry with you your European Health
Insurance card. The EHIC is not an alternative to adequate travel
insurance - it will only cover emergency treatment and not, for instance,
the cost of getting you home after an accident. However, it is important
you carry one as well as adequate travel insurance which you can get by
clicking on one of the panels on the left.
The EHIC replaced the E-111 in January 2006
and if you haven't got one yet, use this page to click thro ugh
and apply for one. It usually arrives in seven days.
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that
becomes necessary while you’re in a European Economic Area (EEA) country
or Switzerland and the Canary Islands
The EHIC is normally valid for three to
five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during
your trip, because of either illness or an accident. The card gives access
to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the
same basis as an 'insured' person living in the country you're visiting.
Remember, this might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of
charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the
cost of your care.
The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or
pre-existing illness. You need to make arrangements in advance for kidney
dialysis and oxygen therapy. To arrange for kidney dialysis while you're
away, contact your NHS renal unit in the UK before you travel. For limited
information on oxygen supply services in the EEA countries and
Switzerland, call the Department of Health's Customer Service Centre on
020 7210 4850.
Remember
that the EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main
purpose of your trip. You are advised to take out comprehensive private
insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are
covered by your EHIC.
Your EHIC should cover you for routine
maternity care while you are away.
You can apply for a European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) online, by phone or by post.
You can apply for an EHIC for your spouse/partner and any children up to
the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education) at the same time
as applying for your own. If you are a foster parent or guardian
(including boarding school teaching staff), you can apply on behalf of any
children you are looking after. You must be over 16 to apply as a main
applicant.
Regardless of how you apply, you will need to have the following
information to hand for everyone you are applying for:
* name and date of birth
* NHS or national insurance (NI) number.
In Scotland the NHS number is known as the Community Health Index (CHI)
number and in Northern Ireland it is known as the Health and Care number.
The EHIC is issued by the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) and is free
of charge.
Apply for your EHIC card HERE
|
