Department of Health and Social Care
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Brits' health left at risk over bargain holiday season - Travellers urged to check EHIC expiry date
Holiday bargain hunters travelling in Europe are being urged to check their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) expiry date before they travel to avoid them having to pay out unnecessarily for medical costs that could be covered by a valid EHIC.
With more Brits cutting back on vital holiday preparations such as taking out travel insurance*, and 50% of Brits not knowing the EHIC has a shelf life**, the Department of Health is urging Brits to check their EHIC expiry date and take out adequate travel insurance to avoid putting their health at risk and getting into financial trouble when abroad.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis, from Moneysavingexpert.com, said: "Everyone travelling to Europe should ensure they've got an EHIC. It's a no-brainer. It's totally free, and entitles you to the same treatment in any EU or Swiss hospital as a local would get, at the same price. So if they would get free or discounted medical cover so do you.
It's not exactly arduous either. It only takes a couple of minutes to get one, or renew it if you're one of the worryingly large number of people who are letting old cards lapse - and it's hugely valuable free, added protection.
Though don't see it as an alternative to travel insurance, as it doesn't provide baggage cover, cancellation cover, and you may need to pay some costs, but it's a strong addition to it. "
Currently 28 million Britons have an EHIC (which replaced the E111 form in 2005), however three million will have expired by the end of March 2009. The EHIC entitles you to reduced costs or free state-provided healthcare in most European countries should you fall ill or have an accident. The EHIC can be renewed online or over the phone and will be delivered within ten days; it can also be renewed up to six months in advance of expiry. To renew or obtain an EHIC, log on to http://www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad or call 0845 606 2030. For further information call the EHIC enquiries line on 0845 605 0707.
Ends
For more information on the EHIC please email Nicola.richards@trimediauk.com or marina.elsidaoui@trimediauk.com or call 020 7027 7500
Notes to Editors
* - A survey commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office showed that 66% of Brits that go on holidays abroad are planning on making some sort of financial cut on their holiday preparations this year. The survey was carried out by YouGov with a total sample size was 1,990 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 18th - 21st July 2008.
** - Survey commissioned by the Department of Health, carried out by tickbox.net in April 2008 with a total sample size of 2192
1. The E111 form is no longer valid. You will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive healthcare that becomes necessary during a visit to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
2. The EHIC can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness within the European Economic Area (EEA).
3. The EHIC can be used in most European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (not northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland
4. The EHIC entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting and the service provided will be the same as received by a person covered by the country's 'insured' medical scheme.
5. EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. You are advised to take out comprehensive private travel insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC. Private travel insurance will cover any contribution which is not reimbursable, as well as other eventualities not covered by the EHIC. Some travel insurance policies are not valid without an EHIC (always check the terms and conditions).
6. The EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip.
7. Online applications will be delivered the quickest (within seven days), with telephone applications being delivered within ten days.
8. Breakdown of numbers of EHICs that expire between September 2008 and March 2009.
Month Number of EHICs expiring
September 2008 731,921 October 2008 729,621
November 2008 353,306 December 2008 343,272
January 2009 369,850 February 2009 367,323
March 2009 364,312
