Brits' health
left at risk over bargain holiday season - Travellers urged to check
EHIC expiry date
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 26 January 2009
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