In this section you will find information about the EHIC, the passport of Maltese citizens for free or reduced emergency care in most other European countries and in the European Economic Area. This section also includes tips for travelers on how to plan ahead, stay healthy, and seek treatment elsewhere in the world. EHIC in all Member States shall have a standard format; They are recognized and understood by all countries, regardless of the language in which they are issued. The purpose of the EHIC is to facilitate access to medical care during the temporary stay of the holder in another Member State and to speed up the reimbursement of expenses incurred. It does not contain any medical information about the owner (e.g., blood type, medical history, etc.) The HSE sends an E126 form to the health authorities of the other country to find out: The European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (formerly form E111) allows the holder to access health services when travelling to other EU or EEA countries. Anyone living in Ireland or intending to live there for one year can apply for an EHIC from the HSE. The card does not cover the cost of treatment in a private environment. The card does not give you the right to travel abroad to receive health care through the public system. In fact, the EHIC is not valid if you are travelling for the purpose of using health care services. This is commonly referred to as “planned” care. It does not replace private travel insurance (rescue, repatriation).
The EHIC is free of charge. A separate application form is required for each person, with the exception of children under the age of 16. The application form must reach the Claims Unit at least fifteen (15) business days prior to the departure date to allow for the processing and sending of the card. You can: This information only gives general instructions. It should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of Community law. You will receive treatment on the same financial basis as residents who are insured for public healthcare in the EEA country you are visiting. Each country has its own rules. In some cases, services are provided free of charge. In other cases, people have to bear part of the cost themselves when treatment is provided, and these fees are non-refundable. Or they must first pay the full cost and then request a partial refund. A list of EEA countries and what you are entitled to in each country can be found on the www.europa.eu website. If you need further assistance, contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services.
They can give you advice on what to do. It is important that you keep records about your treatment. The NHSBSA Overseas Health Services may ask you for more information to verify your eligibility and the cost of the treatment you have had. This could include: Our online application form for people living in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland is temporarily unavailable. However, you can still apply by mail (see below). We apologize for any inconvenience. We hope to solve this problem soon. As the Guardian pointed out, the NHS issued a card to a person who was not eligible to receive the card because a GP was tricked into issuing an NHS number, and it was unclear what the benefit would be.
[11] The EHIC replaces the old Form E111. You`ll need one for every member of your family. It`s free and there are no fees. The European Health Insurance Card is used during a temporary stay in a Member State other than the Member State of affiliation, regardless of the purpose of the stay (professional or non-professional) or the status of the cardholder (employee, pensioner, unemployed, student, etc.). After returning the completed Form E126 from the other country, we can determine whether or not a refund is due. The EHIC can only be used in public hospitals in cases where immediate care is needed. The EHIC does NOT cover you if the purpose of your visit is to receive medical treatment, including visits for a second opinion. Persons to whom an EHIC has been issued are required to inform the Unit of any change in circumstances, including changes related to the transfer of residence to another Member State, death and changes in social security protection. If the card cannot be issued before your departure (late application), you will receive a temporary replacement certificate.
It is valid for three months. If you have a Uk European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it is valid until the expiry date indicated on the card. Once it has expired, you will need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. . You can use the Ameli mobile app to apply for an EHIC and view a photo of your card once it has been issued. If you have had private health care abroad, you will not receive reimbursement. To use your GHIC or EHIC in Switzerland, you must be one of the following: These provisions apply if you are a citizen: you can use a GHIC or AN EHIC if you are travelling to an EU country. A free card that gives you access to medically necessary and government-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in one of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as insured persons in that country.
The card shall have the same appearance and technical characteristics in all issuing Member States in order to be immediately recognisable. Medically necessary healthcare includes things like: Some EU countries require foreign visitors, including UK residents, to stay in quarantine hotels if they wish: they only cover healthcare normally covered by a legal healthcare system in the country being visited, so travel insurance does not become obsolete. If you need emergency treatment during your visit to another country and you have not received your card, you can apply for a Temporary Replacement Certificate (PRC). You can recover the difference between the total invoice and the co-payment, but the actual co-payment is not refundable. This includes people in Northern Ireland who are Irish citizens. You can obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to prove your entitlement to medically necessary healthcare if you are travelling to Europe without your existing EHIC, UK GHIC or new UK EHIC and need treatment during your visit. . If you have a medical or drug payment card, you can apply for an EHIC online. .