Travel medical cover checks urged

[video=youtube;SOotwRHZ6WA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SOotwRHZ6WA[/video]

Almost a third of people travelling to Europe from the UK do so without the card that entitles them to free state healthcare, the Association of British Insurers says.

But while the European Health Insurance Card entitles holders to basic healthcare, costs such as repatriation can require extra cover, which many travellers are skipping in an effort to cut costs.

British holidaymakers are confused about the medical cover they can expect when they travel abroad, an Association of British Insurers survey suggests.

Some 54% of the 2,500 questioned did not know they needed a European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, to access state healthcare when abroad.

The card, which was introduced in 2006, allows people access to care in EU or European Free Trade Area nations.

EHIC cards can be obtained from some travel agents or from the NHS website.

'No substitute'

Some 44% of those asked knew that the cards were valid for only five years.

And, of those asked, 31% were heading abroad without either an EHIC or any kind of travel insurance.

"It is important to have an EHIC because if you do find yourself in an accident while abroad, it allows you to get access to state healthcare anywhere in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland," said Sean Tipton, spokesman for the travel association Abta.

Meanwhile, the ABI was concerned that in tight economic times, some families were cutting back on expenses by only using an EHIC and not taking out separate travel insurance as well.

"It is absolutely not a substitute for travel insurance," said Linsey White of the ABI.

"If you have a problem abroad and you need to be flown back to the UK in an emergency, the cost of an air ambulance can be up to £15,000 and that is not covered by an EHIC."

Mr Tipton, of Abta, said: "An EHIC will get you basic state care. In some countries, you will get treatment, but other things - such as food, drink or even changing your bed linen - are not regarded as the responsibility of the nurses. They are things for your family to take care of."

He has heard anecdotal reports of people travelling abroad with an EHIC, who did not take out insurance, who have been caught out.

"Currently we have an example of a young couple who have flown out to Spain. She was quite heavily pregnant but able to travel. She gave birth prematurely while on holiday," he said.

"She is getting great healthcare because of her EHIC in Spain, but can't fly home, because they do not have medical insurance to cover the cost of taking her and her baby by air ambulance back to Britain."

Stephen Howard, secretary of the Association of Travel Insurance Intermediaries, said that people should buy their travel insurance when they put down a deposit for their holiday. This would then cover them for any cancellation costs.

He also urged holidaymakers to shop around for their policy, but care was needed because price was not always directly linked to the quality of the cover.

Source:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21909898

Thanks a lot, Peter

Ive applied for ours however the Portuguess Social Security Office says for the UK not required ???? Ive asked for this in writing

Keith, the last time we met at the Sandtrap, Banilad, I could have sworn you're a Brit! You shouldn't need an EHIC but your delightful missus will, certainly initially until she has established residency in the UK.

Well I have no idea on your circumstances Keith, but if you've been out of UK for more than 3 months you'd be well advised to get some other of form of documentation if you're unable to get hold of the European Health Insurance Card.

Absences from the UK may affect your entitlement to free NHS treatment.

"Hospital treatment is free to people who 'ordinarily live in the UK'.
If you do not normally live in the UK, you might be asked to pay for any treatment you might need - this is regardless of whether you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past"

"You can receive free NHS hospital treatment if you:-

•have been living legally in the UK for at least 12 months when you seek treatment, and did not come to the UK for private medical treatment.
Temporary absences from the UK of up to three months are ignored
•have come to the UK to take up permanent residence, for example, if you are a former UK resident who has returned from abroad, or if you have been granted
leave to enter or remain as a spouse
•have come to the UK to work, either as an employee or self-employed person. This does not include people on short business trips
•normally work in the UK, but are temporarily working abroad, have at least 10 years continuous residence in the UK, and have been abroad for less
than 5. However, if you are studying abroad you are not entitled to free NHS treatment
•are receiving a UK war disablement pension or war widows’ pension
•are an asylum seeker or have been granted exceptional leave to remain or refugee status. Proof of your immigration status from the Home Office may be
required. In England and Scotland, if you're refused asylum, you do not have the right to free treatment if you have temporary admission.
However, if you're a failed asylum seeker who was receiving a course of treatment, that course of treatment should continue until it is finished without
you being asked to pay for it. In Wales, there are plans to change the rules and you might get free treatment. If you’re asked to pay, get advice about
how to challenge the charge
•have been identified as having been trafficked from abroad or are believed to have been trafficked from abroad
•are imprisoned in the UK or detained by UK immigration authorities
•are a UK state pensioner who spends up to six months a year living in another European Economic Area (EEA) state, but are not a resident of that state
•are working in another EEA country, or in Switzerland, but are paying compulsory UK national insurance contributions
•are a student following a course of study which lasts at least six months, or is substantially funded by the UK government"

Scary stuff

Thanks guys im just waiting for the Pior4tuguess to get their heads round it 2 weeks ago some one in the office said "Englands not in the EEC " lol