Its easily sorted. On entry to the UK anyone entering must either show a heath insurance certificate (like we had to when visiting Cuba) or an EHIC or equivalent.Sadly lots and lots
Trying to police repayment later otherwise is a waste of time
EHIC replacement from 1.1.2021. Now called Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
- Thread starter namwaldog
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Trying to police repayment later otherwise is a waste of time
That's a good start but what is to stop those people tipping up at an NHS hospital and getting health care without presenting their documents so that the reclaim process can begin. The answer is nothing. It happens time and time again.
I agree. The combination of both checking on entry and id cards for UK citizens would more or less eliminate the problem. It's probably because other countries have id cards that they manage it more effectively.
I have no Idea.
I agree 110% about ID cards. I just wish we had them, others may disagree. Of course if the NHS providers don't ask for ID, etc, then the claims just don't get made.
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Do you mean people from abroad or the UK or both?
Jim
Ringleader
I've been travelling Europe in Motorhomes for 30+ years. Never bothered with the EHIC card. I think I might have got one once in the 90s. Long term multi trip travel insurance is pretty cheap, we always take that which I've always thought negates the use of the card. Travel Insurance can also provide access to private treatment, where the EHIC gets us basic state care which can vary! No repatriation etc. You cannot rely just on EHIC and those who do are playing roulette. So i won't be concerned in the slightest by it's demise as I never needed it.
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ManTheVan
LIFE MEMBER
A well-stocked 1st aid kit in the MH is also a great insurance policy...
A fair comment Jim but a few things to remember. If you are suddenly taken seriously ill or have an accident it is not your insurance provider that sends an ambulance and gets you A&E treatment. They may well takeover later, pay your bills, and get you repatriated if needs be, but front line treatment comes almost exclusively from the national health service provided by the country you are visiting. In the past having an EHIC would smooth that process and hopefully a GHIC will be as good in the future. Belt and braces is good. Have the card and always have good health insurance.
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Ah! I agree and it must of course include a triangular bandage.
Jim
Ringleader
Advice from most everywhere (not just Insurance companies) has always been to never rely just on a EHIC. It does not provide enough cover. Even the most basic travel insurance gives better cover.
In all of Europe, Emergency Front line medical care will be given, and whether you have an EHIC card or Insurance will not affect your treatment. What about the millions of tourists who don't have an EHIC card, are you saying they will not receive front line treatment. Of course they do. So if as i you always have travel insurance, what use the EHIC card? It really is no loss.
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One of the main advantages of the EHIC is that it covers pre-existing conditions. For many older people the existence of pre-existing conditions can make private health insurance prohibitively expensive.
Thankfully, this does not apply to me, yet - but I'm guessing that it will be a major consideration for many, and who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Thankfully, this does not apply to me, yet - but I'm guessing that it will be a major consideration for many, and who knows what tomorrow will bring?
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Personally I would never rely on an EHIC (or what ever the replacement maybe) but always have "proper" health insurance for whatever I am doing / going.
Last time I went for standard treatment I had to give my NI number and provide ID as part of a trail scheme. We already have various forms of ID cards with driving licenses, bus passes, passports and so on. Your mobile phone will track you as well.
My last travel insurance stated that I also needed to have an EHIC card. I am not sure if all policies have this clause but worth reading the small print.
I've only had a couple of claims on travel insurance in over 50 years - once on the general part of the policy when I had a two day snow delay and once when my glasses were smashed. Luckily I always carry one or two spare pairs and my latest prescription.
No, I'm not saying they will not receive front line treatment. I said it smoothed the process and hopefully the GHIC will do the same. Also as bellabee says above it cover pre-existing conditions. Some insurances don't as I have found especially as I have aged. Insurance is a necessary requirement and having the EHIC was also very sensible. Again, I hope the GHIC works as well.
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I ended up going to hospital in Spain using an ambulance for one night, it was basic care really but ok, i left the EHIC in the van so gave them my name and address by the time I arrived home there was a bill for 750 euros, I thought i am not paying that ( being a Yorkshire man) rang the hospital in Spain, sent a copy of the card job done, never heard anything again, so just goes to show they are on the ball collecting outstanding bills. Bill
jessthedog
Free Member
This is 5 years old, but it will give you a flavour, at what has been going on. John Mann ex Labour MP asked a Commons question on how much the EHIC was costing the UK.
In 2015, EEA countries and Switzerland claimed against the NHS for over £674 million of costs of treating people from the UK overseas. In the same year, the NHS claimed for £50 million of equivalent costs for treating EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK.
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Same as the US I was treated I gave them the insurance company details, when the insurance company refused to deal with them I started to get payment requests from the US hospital, once I had felt with the insurance company all was good. The debt collectors will come for you if you don't pay the hospital.
It may be sarcastic, but it certainly is worth thinking about. Given the farce of Serco Track & Trace, which was supposed to be world-beating (!), it's hard to feel much confidence.
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I mean people from the UK. As I read it and I might be wrong unless you are in retired and getting certain benefits or living already in another country its not going to be available wheras before anyone could get one.
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I am a UK State pensioner living in an EU country and have had a S1 form issued to me so I am entitled to a new EHIC card which I applied for some weeks ago and before there were announcements about existing EHIC cards being still valid until expiry date, which includes mine up till start of 2025.
If I get a new EHIC card, whenever it arrives, I assume it will not include benefits available under the cover of the GHIC card, whatever they will be.
I wonder whether I can apply and get a GHIC card as well as the EHIC card. The blurb quoted does not seem to address this point.
Does anyone on here know the answer?
Geoff
If I get a new EHIC card, whenever it arrives, I assume it will not include benefits available under the cover of the GHIC card, whatever they will be.
I wonder whether I can apply and get a GHIC card as well as the EHIC card. The blurb quoted does not seem to address this point.
Does anyone on here know the answer?
Geoff
Perhaps you have seen more information than me but I think that is wrong. You may be being confused by the current system / website that is currently a mess.
Not me.
I had to use the hospital services in Poland as I broke my arm on a cycling holiday, I had both Insurance and the EHIC card so I paid nothing for the excellent hospital and boat and van ambulances. The Insurance paid for the flights and taxi.
My wife continued with the cycling holiday leaving me in hospital, we met up again in Hamburg where we had left the van.
Later I enjoyed instructing her for of the manly tasks such as emptying the waste water/toilet, filling the water and connecting the electricity etc.
She drove us in our van home and a short while later over the alps to Italy for a couple of weeks holiday.
So very good for the EHIC/Insurance and for our partners to be able to operate all aspects of vanning!
My wife continued with the cycling holiday leaving me in hospital, we met up again in Hamburg where we had left the van.
Later I enjoyed instructing her for of the manly tasks such as emptying the waste water/toilet, filling the water and connecting the electricity etc.
She drove us in our van home and a short while later over the alps to Italy for a couple of weeks holiday.
So very good for the EHIC/Insurance and for our partners to be able to operate all aspects of vanning!
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I hope that's the case.
I think you need to be getting certain benefits and living in an EU country to qualify? (So Geoff can get one.) I don’t think an EHIC is now available to UK citizens living in Britain, regardless of benefits.
I certainly agree the website is confusing - and they seem to have updated the introductory paragraph but not the rest of it.
Perhaps we should all remember that at this point in time the UK is no longer in the EU. The Trade deal has been negotiated and ratified by the EU but not the UK and it has yet to be signed. Until the ink is on the paper it does not exist and in any event even if it is signed, it does not come into effect until 2021. If / When it does come into effect we may all be surprised / disappointed / please as the detail becomes clear. 
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Is the website for the new GHIC visible and live?
That's the way I read it. Strange that it's not been clarified that is or not the case.
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