Living Within The EU And Your Health

Is there anyone who~Who} doesn’t enjoy that fun of going abroad for holiday? Anxiously waiting, flattening your suitcase to close it, triple-checking that you know where your passport is… but do we remember our healthcare? It is more involved than just buying travel insurance.

Whether you will be going away on holiday or travelling for business, if you’re visiting a country that is part of the EEA (European Economic Area), then you might be entitled to receive medical care at a reduced cost or perhaps for free. If you are a UK national, you ought to make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is used instead of the E-forms of previous years, including the familiar E111.

You do not have to pay for the EHIC and it’s good during five years. Carrying this valuable card, you are allowed admission to state-provided healthcare in all parts of the EEA countries (and Switzerland) for a reduced cost, or sometimes completely free. Every UK resident should carry an EHIC with them when travelling internationally, plus a current travel insurance policy. At times,travel insurance agencies insist that you possess an EHIC and the majority of them will even suspend the extra if you have one.

The EHIC includes the provision of oxygen, kidney dialysis, maternity care and for management of conditions associated with long-term or prior conditions that come up while out of the UK. Still,it’s vital to note that it will not permit you to be out of the country with the direct goal of receiving private medical services. Nor does it cover you for lost/stolen property, repatriation to the United Kingdom or such emergencies as mountain rescues.

This card will give you access to the same healthcare as that available from the state for residents of the land you’re visiting. Remember that not all products and services that are free under the NHS in the UK is free in other places. For instance, you may be liable to pay for an ambulance journey, as in some European countries these are privately run. Make sure you seek out the state-provided healthcare, or you could find yourself paying unnecessarily for entirely private medical treatment. Be especially cautious if your hotel or travel rep are arranging things for you, since they will sometimes send you to private healthcare provision.

If you can, show the medical office your EHIC when you come in, not after treatment begins, and also have your travel insurance details with you. Bear in mind that there are countries that expect international patients to pay for part of their healthcare. So, even when presenting an EHIC, you may be expected to do the same. Even if you are legally entitled to completely free treatment, in certain lands you will be made to pay for your healthcare first and then need to file for a refund using your EHIC. In that situation, always make an effort to claim your refund before travelling home.

Naturally, you may prefer it out there so much that you have no desire to return home! In case you’re so attached by the sun, beach or the entirely different lifestyle that you decide to become another of the UK’s many ‘expats’, then personal expat health insurance is the best option.

There are tons of personal healthcare plans to choose from, many of which include family care, and at varying levels of cover. As with all such plans, choose carefully and figure out exactly what’s included. Repatriation to the UK, or evacuation services where needed, in many cases come as standard. Most international healthcare packages also give access to a confidential, 24 hour advice line, plus a foreign language interpreter.

Regardless of whether you’re away on holiday or making that big move, be certain your healthcare is well and truly cared for.