The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a document that proves that a person works and pays health insurance premiums. Each state is responsible for issuing EHIC cards to its citizens. In some countries, the European Health Insurance Card is provided automatically at the same time as the national health insurance card. Other countries require a separate application for the EHIC. In this article we will tell you about the EHIC and how to use it. How does the European health insurance card work?
How it works
At the expense of the budget of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund, compulsory first aid and emergency medical care provided to the holders of the EHIF in the health care facilities of the aforementioned European countries is paid for. Such care is provided in cases of sudden and acute illness, exacerbation of a chronic disease or injury (e.g., severe chest pain, fractured limb, etc.).
In such cases, emergency care, tests, and sometimes hospitalization are required, which can cost a significant amount of money, which the traveler often simply does not have. In such situations, the EHIC can help – usually in European medical institutions, upon presentation of this card and an identity document, patients from some countries are exempted from payment of the above-mentioned mandatory medical care services.
It should be emphasized that health care systems in different European countries are not identical. Residents of some countries (or their insurance companies) pay part of the cost of treatment themselves, including mandatory care. The same procedure applies to guests of the country, who also have to pay the established in that country part of the cost of medical services, which is not reimbursed.
EHIC card for UK residents
Residents of Great Britain may be wondering about the validity of the EHIC after the country leaves the European Union. Although the terms and conditions of the country’s exit from the EU have not been determined at this time, if England continues to be a member of the EEA, UK residents will be able to continue to use the European Health Insurance Card.
What you need to know when traveling to the UK
After the UK and Northern Ireland leave the EU, the EVAK card will no longer be valid in the United Kingdom. Therefore, you will need to buy a voluntary health insurance policy when you go there. However, you should be aware that the health service of some countries will reimburse you for health services you received or started before the day of the UK’s exit from the EU. So if you want to make sure that you are not in danger when traveling abroad, you should take out a special policy and use it if necessary.