The Importance of the European Health Insurance Card

The European MEDICAL HEALTH INSURANCE Card or EHIC is crucial have item for several UK resident going to anywhere in Europe. When your holiday requires a turn for the worst, the card gives you usage of state provided healthcare, much like that provided by the NHS in the UK, in all countries designated as in the European Economic Area or EEA.

These countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Leichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, HOLLAND, Norway, Poland Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK. Switzerland is really a country also contained in the scheme.

Not all countries' healthcare systems will be the same, so you might not be covered for everything that would normally be free from the NHS in the UK. In many cases, you will be offered either either private or state provided care. To avoid potentially costly private medical bills, always look for state provided care and where possible present your EHIC before treatment.

There are specific rules that connect with using your European Health Insurance Card should you require medical treatment throughout your visit abroad. Most accidents are covered nevertheless, you aren't permitted to go abroad to utilize the card to receive specific health care. However, maternity care, renal dialysis and looking after the outward symptoms of a pre-existing or chronic condition that crops up while you are abroad are all covered by the card.

Broadly speaking, you'll receive the same treatment as a resident of the country you are visiting. That said, many overseas countries expect the patient to pay towards the cost of medical treatment anyway so even with the EHIC you may still be likely to pay. It is also worth bearing in mind that you may manage to recoup this cost once you return to the united kingdom if you are unable to do so in the united kingdom you have visited. Remember to help keep receipts and paperwork because they may be had a need to apply for reimbursement.

Trying to get a European Health Insurance Card is free and is valid for five years. Finally, it should be pointed out that the card isn't an alternative to visit insurance. It does not cover you for private health care or the cost of specific things like a rescue from the mountain in a ski resort. Neither, needless to say, does it cover lost or stolen property, repatriation to the united kingdom or flight related problems. It is therefore essential which you have a travel cover policy as well as your EHIC.

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