Ehic...........

[Lawnmowerman, Tain]

Applied to renew our European Health Insurance Card online on Friday 28th Nov. They arrived yesterday!

Does this suggest very few people are applying for them in view of Brexit? I understand your Health Insurance company still expect you to make use of it whenever possible otherwise any claim could be compromised.

Any thoughts on the matter? Do you still make sure you take your card with you?

Bill

[Malcolm, Essex]

People assume that they will no longer be valid if Brexit happens. I did.

[Issyalex, Glasgow]

I always take ours with us. They ‘live’ in our passport wallet. Any time I’ve renewed them they always come within a few days.

[annie, Glasgow]

Applied to renew our European Health Insurance Card online on Friday 28th Nov. They arrived yesterday!

Does this suggest very few people are applying for them in view of Brexit? I understand your Health Insurance company still expect you to make use of it whenever possible otherwise any claim could be compromised.

Any thoughts on the matter? Do you still make sure you take your card with you?

Bill

Keep it along with my travel insurance documents.

Annie

[Wilba]

Yep, agree renewal is fast.

They live in my 'Travel Wallet' all year round................Wilba

[Mrs M]

Applied to renew our European Health Insurance Card online on Friday 28th Nov. They arrived yesterday!

Does this suggest very few people are applying for them in view of Brexit? I understand your Health Insurance company still expect you to make use of it whenever possible otherwise any claim could be compromised.

Any thoughts on the matter? Do you still make sure you take your card with you?

Bill

Ours are with our passports, along with our ESTAs

[lucy, sutton]

We are with SAGA for our holiday insurance and it always refers to the need to obtain permission before proceeding with treatment and that if you can get free treatment through EHIC then you should go for that. I sometimes wonder what I am buying from SAGA - the ability for them to tell me where I can get free treatment? I know they cover other things but I have always thought that this part of the insurance is a bit of a get out clause. I wonder if holiday insurance will go up when we eventually come out of the EU, as we will no longer be able to use the EHIC, so they will have to pay up for all treatment.

[Cooke, Ashby]

We haven't visited Europe for several years but still carry the cards, just in case we are diverted into a European airport and need attention.

[Smith7]

This topic prompted me to check mine. It expires next month so I guess I should renew it.

[toshtosh, Guiseley]

Although having the EHIC with you does make life easy, if you forget them you can contact them by phone and they will authorise the treatment.

Travelling without your EHIC

If you need treatment while visiting a country where your EHIC is valid and you don't have your card with you, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).

You'll need to call us on 0044 191 218 1999 from the hospital or clinic where you're being treated and select option 2. A PRC will only be issued if you need treatment.

I believe you MUST tell any ambulance driver, particularly in Span, to take you to a state hospital otherwise they will take you to a private hospital and your insurance company will likely refuse your claim, unless you clear it with them on arrival. Some insurers will pay for initial EMERGENCY treatment in a private hospital but expect you to be transferred ASAP to a state hospital.

I have just checked my insurance and, hidden in the small print, it "clearly" states there will be no cover for private treatment unless pre-authorised by their medical assistance helpline ASAP, and no later than 48 hours.

Cheers

Tony B

[Guy, Ormskirk]

I renewed mine recently and it arrived promptly. The first thing my insurance company asked me when I had the emergency gall bladder surgery was did I have an EHIC. I was taken to a private hospital which was excellent but i was glad I could assure the insurance company I was carrying a card...Carol

[mike, lanarkshire]

There is a requirement to have it on many travel insurance policies nowadays. My daughter had a claim recently and it was only after checking the small print that I spotted this requirement. She didn’t have one but fortunately, it did not have any impact on her claim (paid in full). She now has one.

[Delboy, Essex]

Renewed ours recently in line with our insurance policy, like others keep them in our passport wallet.