Healthcare rights in Europe

Adamocovic

So I will be travelling to France next year for work and was told I will need a European Health Insurance Card. I had one before but it expired back in 2010, I thought I could just go online and renew it but when I enter the ID number for the card and my PPSn it informs me that I can not renew the card, as the ID is unrecognised.

Is this just because it was so long ago? Also can anyone apply online? It says "If you already have a medical card or a drug payment scheme card you can apply online" but I was wondering does that matter or can anyone apply online, or will I have to go in get a form and go to my local health office to apply for a EHIC.

I need it as soon as possible to be honest and I am hoping theres a way that I can just get it online today and then wait for it to arrive rather than going into the local health office.

Thanks

berger89

If you're not travelling until next year, why do you want it straight away?!

I'm pretty sure you can apply online..it shouldn't matter how long its been since your last card expired coz they'd still have your details

Adamocovic

berger89 wrote: »

If you're not travelling until next year, why do you want it straight away?!

I'm pretty sure you can apply online..it shouldn't matter how long its been since your last card expired coz they'd still have your details

Well I will be leaving in January so its not that far away, also I thought so too but I keep getting an error message saying it does not recognise the ID I am trying to renew, I am wondering is it because it is a very old card and expired over 4 years ago.

Does anyone know how long it would take to receive a EHIC if I do apply by posting off the form?

Adamocovic

Well I think I have answered my own question but Ill post it here if anyone is having the same problem, I went through the main EHIC online service rather than just a direct link to the renewal and saw a note that says if you have changed your address since the last time you received a card you must contact them. I am pretty sure thats my problem since I am pretty sure I moved just shortly after receiving the card last.

Looks like Ill have to contact my local health office to change my address first.

faigs

Make sure you get it, I had an accident in Bordeaux a few years back and it was the first thing the medics in the ambulance asked me for...

Kettleson

Hi all:

Looking to get insurance to cover family of 5 for 2 weeks in Portugal.

Any recommendations?

I've had no idea what an EHIC card was until I read a few threads here. Is travel insurance not essential if you have an EHIC card?

Thanks

Stheno

All an EHIC will get you is treatment in a public hospital in an EU country

Travel insurance will help with more, e.g. repatriation

Kettleson

Thanks. I just booked multi-trip.

munchkin_utd

Stheno wrote: »

All an EHIC will get you is treatment in a public hospital in an EU country

Travel insurance will help with more, e.g. repatriation

travel insurance also includes cancellation compensation should someone get sick.
Often as an individual or couple thats not a biggie, but with kids who have tendencies to pick up bugs and whatnot insurance may be useful.

and its worth remembering that the EHIC is only as good as the public health system in the country you visit.
So, go to Germany or Austria and you have everything covered from GP to Dentist to hospital to CT scans to whatever is needed. All by flashing the card (and filling out a heap of forms so the irish government can get billed! )

Greece and other mediteranian countries are far less giving to their own citizens, so tourists get the same shoddy treatment (and may end up needing to pay in cash for private services which only travel insurance will cover)

heres the info on what the EHIC covers in Portugal
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinPortugal.aspx

killbillvol2

munchkin_utd wrote: »

travel insurance also includes cancellation compensation should someone get sick.
Often as an individual or couple thats not a biggie, but with kids who have tendencies to pick up bugs and whatnot insurance may be useful.

and its worth remembering that the EHIC is only as good as the public health system in the country you visit.
So, go to Germany or Austria and you have everything covered from GP to Dentist to hospital to CT scans to whatever is needed. All by flashing the card (and filling out a heap of forms so the irish government can get billed! )

Greece and other mediteranian countries are far less giving to their own citizens, so tourists get the same shoddy treatment (and may end up needing to pay in cash for private services which only travel insurance will cover)

heres the info on what the EHIC covers in Portugal
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinPortugal.aspx

The same shoddy treatment that Greeks or other Mediterranean counttries' citizens would get if they needed to use the EHIC in Ireland.

keithclancy

killbillvol2 wrote: »

The same shoddy treatment that Greeks or other Mediterranean counttries' citizens would get if they needed to use the EHIC in Ireland.

I wouldn't think i'd be left with a 20k bill in Ireland though:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/holidays/article-2161755/Why-falling-ill-Greece-leave-17-000-bill.html

killbillvol2

keithclancy wrote: »

I wouldn't think i'd be left with a 20k bill in Ireland though:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/holidays/article-2161755/Why-falling-ill-Greece-leave-17-000-bill.html

Ouch.

coylemj

keithclancy wrote: »

I wouldn't think i'd be left with a 20k bill in Ireland though:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/holidays/article-2161755/Why-falling-ill-Greece-leave-17-000-bill.html

That story is three years old (June 2012), things can only be worse in Greece these days. I've seen similar stories about 'cash-strapped' Spanish hospitals asking foreigners for a credit card.

BTW, if you have travel insurance and need hospital treatment abroad, do not hand over your credit card. This is the preferred option for the hospital because (1) they get paid straight away with no paperwork and (2) they can charge you pretty much what they want. Instead, notify your insurance company and let them deal with the hospital, this is what they tell you to do anyway. It gives them control over the hospital charges and ensures that you don't come home to a massive CC bill.

If you pay the hospital with your credit card, your insurance company will put some serious red tape in your way when you get home and attempt to submit a claim.

goalie2

Hi Folks,

Going on a holiday to Salou shortly with the family and my dad who is 82.

He has the European Health Insurance Card but I am wondering should I also get him travel insurance as well? The EHIC covers you for doctor treatment and hospital cover as public person if I am reading it right, would travel, insurance cover extra stay in the hospital?

Dad is in great shape physcially bar suffering from fibrosis of the lungs.

athtrasna

You should always have travel insurance. Insurance covers theft, cancellation, legal fees, personal injury, repatriation and a whole lot of stuff. Medical expenses are a very small part

munchkin_utd

A person of 82 is far more likely to need medical evacuation(I.e. Air ambulance) or cover for cancellation due to medical reasons than a younger person so it's wise to get it.
Just be careful as some policies don't cover older people.

gerard2210

Very few companies will insure people of your dad's age. It can be very expensive.

goalie2

Thanks folks, I have found a couple of sites that cover dad but they require medical screening, should I get the report from his doctor with his history just to cover everything for the policy?

Atlantic Dawn

goalie2 wrote: »

Thanks folks, I have found a couple of sites that cover dad but they require medical screening, should I get the report from his doctor with his history just to cover everything for the policy?

Yes if you don't give a full declaration of his condition they will void the policy should anything happen.

If he was to say break his leg the EHIC card would cover him to go in to a public hospital and get it treated and patched up but it might then mean no airline would fly him back home if his leg was in certain conditions within the cast where if you had travel insurance it would cover the costs of getting him back to Ireland in a medical transfer. There may also be injuries that would mean he couldn't fly back for weeks or months and these costs would be covered by travel insurance.

from_atozinc

Hello

I am in the algarve in Portugal and I've just been to the doctor with a fever and he gave me a prescription etc

It was a public place I went to and they specifically asked for my EHIC and took down the details.

I then had to pay them 50 euro.

Question is, how do I claim some of this this back?

- via my standard vhi health insurance
- via my multi trip travel insurance

Atlantic Dawn

Your travel insurance should cover it, keep any receipts you receive and then contact them when your back home.

Spanish Eyes

Travel insurance may have an excess on the policy that is greater than the price paid here.

I always thought the EHIC would give you the same treatment for the same price as the natives. So I would check if everyone pays E50 for a GP consultation there too.

edeldonlon

The last time I went to the public doctor in Portugal on holiday it was €4, this was 3 years ago.

I think go back and check with them.

Feel better soon

from_atozinc

edeldonlon wrote: »

The last time I went to the public doctor in Portugal on holiday it was €4, this was 3 years ago.

I think go back and check with them.

Feel better soon

mmmm. Thanks.
Cause I specificAlly asked why do I have to pay when I have the card, and they just said that's the way it works and you just claim it back. I was thattoo sick to even think about it at the time and soon heading home etc.

4 euro is some bargain !

ger664

2 Years ago €17 at local A&E and €14 for script. Probably exceeds Travel Insurance excess €50 sounds a bit steep.

from_atozinc

ger664 wrote: »

2 Years ago €17 at local A&E and €14 for script. Probably exceeds Travel Insurance excess €50 sounds a bit steep.

So did I literally get ridden?

Spanish Eyes

from_atozinc wrote: »

So did I literally get ridden?

Who knows?

But at the end of the day E50 is not that excessive really, and I don't think there is much point in worrying about it now. Time was when you were there.

If you are ok that is the main thing here.

faceman

OP, this page will provide details for how much is covered in Portugal.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/EHIC/othercountries/Healthcare_services_in_other_EU_EEA_countries.html#portugal

coylemj

I'd be interested to know how much they would have charged the OP if he didn't have the EHIC card. They were clearly going to claim some money from the Irish HSE if they noted the details of the OP's card.

What I find very strange is that while still on holidays, the OP took to boards to see how he can claim back €50 for a doctor's fee! Get on with your holidays and worry about claiming expenses when you get home.

from_atozinc

coylemj wrote: »

I'd be interested to know how much they would have charged the OP if he didn't have the EHIC card. They were clearly going to claim some money from the Irish HSE if they noted the details of the OP's card.

What I find very strange is that while still on holidays, the OP took to boards to see how he can claim back €50 for a doctor's fee! Get on with your holidays and worry about claiming expenses when you get home.

Holidays is probably the time I spend most on boards.

Sitting around in the sun most days and I get sick of reading a book and I just go on to boards.
Nothing very strange about it really.

Xaracatz

Hi

I'm living abroad, and my EHIC has expired. I may have to go to the hospital on a doctor's recommendation, and I was wondering if it is possible to get the charges reimbursed when I get my card reinstated.

Thanks!

schemingbohemia

Says here you can renew online

https://www.sspcrs.ie/portal/ehic/

coylemj

Xaracatz wrote: »

I'm living abroad, and my EHIC has expired.

According to the HSE .....

The European Health Insurance Card or EHIC (formerly the E111 form) allows the holder to access health care services when travelling to or on holiday in another EU or EEA country.

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

The NHS in the UK say the following.....

A valid European Health Insurance Card gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

Shouldn't you be covered by the local social security system if you live there?

Xaracatz

Thanks. The EHIC is the local insurance provider. I can renew it here, but just wanted to know on short notice as medical care is almost cost-less with it, but extremely expensive without.

L1011

The EHIC bills back to the HSE. It certainly isn't your local social insurance system there.

Xaracatz

L1011 wrote: »

The EHIC bills back to the HSE. It certainly isn't your local social insurance system there.

Sorry - my head wasn't straight yesterday - wasn't well. I live over here temporarily with work, and I knew that the EHIC was used for a doctor's visit. Just figured it was an insurance card here, and then realised mine was expired.

Eponymous

If you need medical care and are living wherever you are as part of your job, your employer should have insurance for you. Check with them perhaps?

Xaracatz

Thanks. Yes - you're right - I'll ask them.

Was a post-diving issue and pretty scary. I couldn't think properly. Thanks for your replies.

munchkin_utd

also if you have VHI then you may be covered abroad, or with small fee get cover abroad.
Which is useful, as should you need anything other than emergency treatment, then the EHIC will not cover you.

I had a friend over for a summer in Germany who had internal pains, which turned out to be a birth defect which would cause eventual kidney failure, but not for a few years yet.
The German hospitals diagnosed it for free on the EHIC, but would not operate on it because it wasnt life threatening. And rightly so, as seeing as you are going home in the immediate future, its something that your health system at home should cover.
Luckily, after after a lot of chatting with VHI, she got the operation in Germany paid for rather than wait to see if and when it might get done in Ireland.

L1011

Xaracatz wrote: »

Sorry - my head wasn't straight yesterday - wasn't well. I live over here temporarily with work, and I knew that the EHIC was used for a doctor's visit. Just figured it was an insurance card here, and then realised mine was expired.

If you're working there, its not valid anyway.

Xaracatz

I work here as a consultant for an Irish firm.

munchkin_utd

Xaracatz wrote: »

I work here as a consultant for an Irish firm.

you can well afford VHI international then so, if you havent already got VHI plan A+++ already thrown to you from your employer for free.

EDIT, better still, do it the right way and you can then get full coverage, not just for an emergency, abroad.

Posted abroad on a short assignment (<2 years)

As a worker posted abroad on a short assignment (<2 years) you can stay insured in your home country - the country from which you have been posted, which is responsible for your social security coverage.

Request an S1 form (formerly the E 106) from your home-country healthcare authority. This will entitle you and your family to healthcare during your stay.

Give the S1 form to the host-country healthcare authority on arrival.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/when-living-abroad/health-insurance-cover/index_en.htm

L1011

Xaracatz wrote: »

I work here as a consultant for an Irish firm.

You're temporarily resident in and working there, though. The EHIC does not cover you - you've been using it fraudulently, basically

Your employer should have assisted you in arranging the correct cover - either social insurance or private cover. You need to talk to your HR department urgently.

Xaracatz

L1011 wrote: »

You're temporarily resident in and working there, though. The EHIC does not cover you - you've been using it fraudulently, basically

Your employer should have assisted you in arranging the correct cover - either social insurance or private cover. You need to talk to your HR department urgently.

Well, I've never used it. Sorry - I know now I can't use it. I'll get onto work.

redcup342

L1011 wrote: »

You're temporarily resident in and working there, though. The EHIC does not cover you - you've been using it fraudulently, basically

Your employer should have assisted you in arranging the correct cover - either social insurance or private cover. You need to talk to your HR department urgently.

That's not always the case, as long as you continue to pay your PRSI contributions in Ireland or National Insurance Contributions in the UK you can use it for temporary assignment abroad. Contractors can effectively do it indefinitely.

UK
https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance-if-you-go-abroad

Ireland
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Social-Insurance-PRSI-for-Persons-while-Working-Abroad.aspx

Q3 WHERE DO I PAY MY PRSI?

A Under EU Regulations 1408/71 Article 13.1 and 883/04(since 1 st May 2010) Article 11.1, a person shall be insured for Social Insurance Contributions (PRSI) in a single Member State only. Generally, employment is insurable in the State where it takes place. However, if you are an employed/self-employed person who is posted from Ireland to work in another EEA State, you may be entitled to apply for an E101 Certificate (Regulation 1408/71) or an A1 Portal Document (Regulation 883/04). This Certificate will exempt you and your employer from paying Social Insurance in the country where you are posted to and authorises it payable to the country where you were posted from.

Q8 WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE E101 CERTIFICATE/A1 PORTABLE DOCUMENT?

A When the E101 Certificate/A1 Portable Document is granted, you continue to pay PRSI contributions in Ireland while employed in another EEA State. This means that your rights to Irish Social Insurance benefits are being preserved while you are temporarily working abroad.

In addition, an E106 Certificate/S1 Portable Document ensures that you have the same health entitlements in the State to which you are being posted, as are available to nationals of that State. You should contact your local HSE office before you go to another EU state to obtain an E106 Certificate/S1 Portable Document.

EHIC Card will give you emergency care, E106/S1 will give you the same care as residents living there, VHI etc is not needed.

L1011

Both those items you linked to there are about the E106 - the EHIC replaced the E111, not the E106. EHIC/E111 is not for those working abroad for any length of time.

redcup342

L1011 wrote: »

Both those items you linked to there are about the E106 - the EHIC replaced the E111, not the E106. EHIC/E111 is not for those working abroad for any length of time.

Yes of course, that's why you apply for and S1 rather than EHIC.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/social-security-forms/index_en.htm

S1

(formerly

E 106,

E 109

and

E 121 - still issued by some institutions)

Certificate of entitlement to healthcare if you don't live in the country where you are insured. Useful for cross-border workers, pensioners and civil servants and their dependants.



Contact your health insurance authority to find the relevant institution issuing the S1

Submit it to any health insurance authority in the country where you live.

Plenty of UK/Irish Expats operate this way when working abroad.

Nothing illegal about using your EHIC Card either, it's just that it only covers 'necessary treatment'

E.G. if you go to a doctor in Amsterdam with an EHIC Card you don't pay anything but it will only cover necessary treatment.
If you go using the S1 System you have to pay the first 385 euros yourself as this is what Dutch residents pay but it will cover beyond necessary treatment.

The only rule is that you pay your social security in one member state.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Collie D

Just wondering does anyone get this and is it worthwhile. I already have private health insurance and travel insurance through VHI.

Have a few trips coming up over next few months so looked into it today and to me it seems like it's more geared towards medical card holders and I have to submit an application if I don't have a card.

Always been meaning to do it as I take a few trips around Europe every year so thought it would be handy to have. Also seems like I have to apply for each trip rather than having something in my wallet that would be valid for a year or so.

TLDR: Is there any point in me getting one if I already have health and travel insurance?

Doltanian

Collie D wrote: »

Just wondering does anyone get this and is it worthwhile. I already have private health insurance and travel insurance through VHI.

Have a few trips coming up over next few months so looked into it today and to me it seems like it's more geared towards medical card holders and I have to submit an application if I don't have a card.

Always been meaning to do it as I take a few trips around Europe every year so thought it would be handy to have. Also seems like I have to apply for each trip rather than having something in my wallet that would be valid for a year or so.

TLDR: Is there any point in me getting one if I already have health and travel insurance?

You should get an EHIC card as your private insurers will often insist you avail of the freely available public health care systems in the EU rather than they forking out.

For your first time application you have to fill in form and there is no charge for it, it is available to all regardless of whether they have a medical card or not.

Basically it is a credit card style card which is usually issued for anywhere from two to five years length. So you don't have to reapply each time you travel abroad. Just pop it in your wallet before you leave and hope you don't need it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Health_Insurance_Card

Collie D

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