Healthcare rights in Europe

Doltanian

Collie D wrote: »

Thanks, Doltanian. Heading away Thursday so too late now but will definitely apply for one for the future.

You can apply for it here,

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/apply/

Collie D

Thanks again. I actually have that bookmarked in work. Last minute trip so up the walls in work and got distracted earlier before I could fill it in

huskerdu

If you are going to a country like France with an excellent public health system, you should use it.
The EHIC card is your entry card into their public hospitals.

This would be a lot easier than trying to negotiate what you are supposed to do to use your private insurance while you have a broken bone.

Doltanian

Another reason to use it would be that alot of Private policies can have an excess whereby you might pay the first €100 or €200 of the claim cost. And if it was a smaller charge than this then you would receive nothing.

For travel to the UK an EHIC card is not actually required as Irish people have access to the British NHS under a reciprocal agreement, ita good idea to have even if a person was an infrequent traveller.

candlegrease

I mean, both with or without health insurance, within the EU/EEA

schemingbohemia

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/

EHIC card will cover you for many things.

uck51js9zml2yt

schemingbohemia wrote: »

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/

EHIC card will cover you for many things.

It covers you in a public hospital in an emergency situation.
It does not cover preplanned procedures and does not replace travel insuranc.

otnomart

https://europa.eu/european-union/life/healthcare_en

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

jonny_b

What's the point in having travel insurance vs EHIC?

uck51js9zml2yt

jonny_b wrote: »

What's the point in having travel insurance vs EHIC?

Travel insurance pays for unintended consequences of injury like repatriation via air ambulance, lost luggage, money etc, holiday cancellation.etc

Tails142

Travel insurance will cover repatriation expenses by air ambulance for one.

candlegrease

Quick question about this card. Do I need to carry the actual card or is it sufficient for me to know the number and expiry date (eg simply carry a picture of the card)?

uck51js9zml2yt

candlegrease wrote: »

Quick question about this card. Do I need to carry the actual card or is it sufficient for me to know the number and expiry date (eg simply carry a picture of the card)?

Carrying the card makes it easier.
Why wouldn't you carry it?

RoYoBo

We always carry the actual card in our wallets when we travel - was told at one time (don't remember when or where) that you had to produce the real thing if admitted for treatment.

However, I do keep photocopies in an email account in case it's lost. Ditto for passport copies. Probably some reason why this is a security risk, but anything else is not handy for me in an emergency.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

finbarrk

We had an incident with one of the kids a few years ago in Spain. The child was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Once she was admitted, I had to return to the apartment to get the card for the hospital administration.
So you don't necessarily have to carry it around all the time. Everyone should make sure their card is in date also.

munchkin_utd

if you end up needing to use the card you'd also likely need your passport, or passport card, to show that you are who you say you are and the same person as named on the card.

Its just a standard credit card sized card. I cant see why you just wouldn't have it in your wallet when travelling abroad.

NIMAN

We travel in a few weeks and to be honest only heard about this card today, so likely have left it too late to get the family covered.

But I was wondering if its needed at all if I intend to buy good travel insurance? Surely that will cover everything the card will cover?

uck51js9zml2yt

NIMAN wrote: »

We travel in a few weeks and to be honest only heard about this card today, so likely have left it too late to get the family covered.

But I was wondering if its needed at all if I intend to buy good travel insurance? Surely that will cover everything the card will cover?

its possible to print off a temporary card. It must be signed and stamped by your local health centre.
It does not replace travel Insurance.
All it gives is free EMERGENCY hospital treatment.
If you have health insurance you can top up cheaply enough with travel Insurance, I got multitrip from laya for a family of 4 with worldwide cover for 77euro

NIMAN

Corbin Glamorous Rhinoceros wrote: »

its possible to print off a temporary card. It must be signed and stamped by your local health centre.
It does not replace travel Insurance.
All it gives is free EMERGENCY hospital treatment.
If you have health insurance you can top up cheaply enough with travel Insurance, I got multitrip from laya for a family of 4 with worldwide cover for 77euro

But my travel insurance would give this too, so is there any point in going through the hassle of applying for the card at a late stage?

RoYoBo

NIMAN wrote: »

But my travel insurance would give this too, so is there any point in going through the hassle of applying for the card at a late stage?

Dig into the T&Cs of your travel insurance - some of them only cover AFTER you've used the EHIC for basics. It won't be obvious, so I would suggest emailing them to ask.

SweetCaliber

Hi all,

Was in Portugal last month and had to get stitches in A & E. Didnt have my EHIC card on me as it was in the safe in the hotel so the receptionist told me to send it on later and gave me an email. Without it I would be billed but he said with it the stitches were free.

Sent it on via email the minute I got back to the apartment and forgot about it.

Got an invoice today for 51 euros from the Hospital (Public Hospital, Saude care center in Albufeira).

The sheet on the back of it told me to either send a picture of my EHIC Card or pay up.

Thing is, I already sent the picture of the card. I tried ringing them but the number rings out.

I'm hoping to go to Portugal again next summer and would rather not be stopped.

Anyone know what best to do in this situation?

Glass fused light

SweetCaliber wrote: »

Anyone know what best to do in this situation?

Snail mail.
Print copy of card and email received. Add letter:
As requested please find enclosed.....
Fold all and put in envelope, add postage stamp and go to post office and get confirmation of postage

Jupiter Mulligan

SweetCaliber wrote: »

Hi all,

Was in Portugal last month and had to get stitches in A & E. Didnt have my EHIC card on me as it was in the safe in the hotel so the receptionist told me to send it on later and gave me an email. Without it I would be billed but he said with it the stitches were free.

Sent it on via email the minute I got back to the apartment and forgot about it.

Got an invoice today for 51 euros from the Hospital (Public Hospital, Saude care center in Albufeira).

The sheet on the back of it told me to either send a picture of my EHIC Card or pay up.

Thing is, I already sent the picture of the card. I tried ringing them but the number rings out.

I'm hoping to go to Portugal again next summer and would rather not be stopped.

Anyone know what best to do in this situation?

Why not scan the bill, attach it to the scan of your EHIC and send both to the email address that you were given previously?

otnomart

Have you tried to email the Hospital instead of calling ?


Below the info from the official EU Website:



https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/unplanned-healthcare/payments-reimbursements/index_en.htm



Without a European Health Insurance Card
If you don't have your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or you are not able to use it (for example, at a private hospital which is not covered by the EHIC scheme), you may be asked to pay for your treatment. You can then claim reimbursement from your health insurer when you get home. This applies to both public and private healthcare providers. However, the terms will be different:

• only treatments which you are entitled to receive at home will be reimbursed
• you will be reimbursed only up to the cost of treatment in your home country – which may be less than you paid for the treatment

If you need urgent treatment, your local health authority might be able to help by faxing or emailing proof of your health insurance coverage to avoid you having to pay upfront.
If you're not sure about your entitlements and want to check before getting treatment, each EU country has at least one National Contact Point that can inform you whether or not you will be entitled to reimbursement, and whether any ceiling applies.

SweetCaliber

Jupiter Mulligan wrote: »

Why not scan the bill, attach it to the scan of your EHIC and send both to the email address that you were given previously?

Going to do that now, but seeing as they ignored my previous email I'm not hopeful.

Glass fused light wrote: »

Snail mail.
Print copy of card and email received. Add letter:
As requested please find enclosed.....
Fold all and put in envelope, add postage stamp and go to post office and get confirmation of postage

Not a bad idea actually, will do it Monday morning if I don't hear back from them in the meantime.

otnomart wrote: »

Have you tried to email the Hospital instead of calling ?


Below the info from the official EU Website:



https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/unplanned-healthcare/payments-reimbursements/index_en.htm



Without a European Health Insurance Card
If you don't have your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or you are not able to use it (for example, at a private hospital which is not covered by the EHIC scheme), you may be asked to pay for your treatment. You can then claim reimbursement from your health insurer when you get home. This applies to both public and private healthcare providers. However, the terms will be different:

• only treatments which you are entitled to receive at home will be reimbursed
• you will be reimbursed only up to the cost of treatment in your home country – which may be less than you paid for the treatment

If you need urgent treatment, your local health authority might be able to help by faxing or emailing proof of your health insurance coverage to avoid you having to pay upfront.
If you're not sure about your entitlements and want to check before getting treatment, each EU country has at least one National Contact Point that can inform you whether or not you will be entitled to reimbursement, and whether any ceiling applies.

Just sent them an email with the card and bill, will see if they respond.

tmh106

Hi all.

I've seen reference to an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Smartphone app but cannot seem to find it anywhere. I've looked in Google Play Store and I have searched online. And while I can find references to the app online I cannot seem to find it anywhere.

Does anyone have this and know where to download it?

Thanks.

coylemj

I think it was only good for renewing. Either way, I wouldn't fancy waving a smartphone at a hospital admissions clerk in Spain or wherever. Get the plastic version.

tmh106

coylemj wrote: »

I think it was only good for renewing. Either way, I wouldn't fancy waving a smartphone at a hospital admissions clerk in Spain or wherever. Get the plastic version.

My understanding is that the app doesn't replace the card, rather it is complementary to it. It is to help with navigating through process/procedures for hospitals in different European countries.

Wuff Wuff

if youre on android, if you google EHIC app apk it will take you to a page to download the apk file and install the app

cant post links on new account

coylemj

Wuff Wuff wrote: »

if youre on android, if you google EHIC app apk it will take you to a page to download the apk file and install the app

Which means that you'd be installing an unofficial version. Which would probably have out of date links and/or info.

And the app is not a substitute for the card itself. Which I suspect is what the OP is expecting.

tmh106

coylemj wrote: »

...
And the app is not a substitute for the card itself. Which I suspect is what the OP is expecting.

No, I'm not expecting it to be a substitute for the card itself. I have the (plastic) card which I will be bringing with me. The reason I asked about the app is because of the following information which was in an Irish Times article on Corona virus: "If you have a smartphone download the EHIC app to help you navigate overseas health systems"

killbillvol2

tmh106 wrote: »

Hi all.

I've seen reference to an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Smartphone app but cannot seem to find it anywhere. I've looked in Google Play Store and I have searched online. And while I can find references to the app online I cannot seem to find it anywhere.

Does anyone have this and know where to download it?

Thanks.

It doesn't seem to be supported any more. I had it on a previous phone and it had quite a bit of information on it.

Muahahaha

How long do EHIC cards last, is it one year or two? Think mine is expired at this stage, must sort that

Atlantic Dawn

Muahahaha wrote: »

How long do EHIC cards last, is it one year or two? Think mine is expired at this stage, must sort that

2 years.

Muahahaha

Cheers AD, had thought it was 2 years so mines definitely expired by now.

Its a great scheme for peace of mind travelling in the EU but its a balls that you have to renew it every 2 years. Its not like your EU citizenship expires every two years or something, it should really be for life or at least for 10 years like a passport/driving license.

macplaxton

I'm sure it's 4 years.

I've just renewed mine and it expires 2024.

galvo_clare

macplaxton wrote: »

I'm sure it's 4 years.

I've just renewed mine and it expires 2024.

Up to five years.

Muahahaha

macplaxton wrote: »

I'm sure it's 4 years.

I've just renewed mine and it expires 2024.

Well 4 years isnt too bad. Just got to find a way of remembering when to renew it, its the kind of thing that would slip out of your mind easily enough and then you're abroad needing it and its expired.