emergencies abroad (1 Viewer)

seymore

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Feb 13, 2010
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This is the 4th van weve done
does anyone know of a list or information that would be usefull in case of emergencies when touring europe.The kind of information I was thinking of would be usefull if your partner was taken ill in the middle of the night and your parked up way out in the sticks in france or spain. I know 112 is the emergencies phone number in France, happily Ive had no cause to call it and have no idea if they have english speakers on the other end.
Has anyone experience dealing with emergency services abroad. Hope you guys are able to help. Not worried but cautious. Dave
 

bobandjanie

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Hi Dave and Carol, nice to meet you at Newark. :thumb:
We have called the Police in Germany, and they spoke English. :winky: :ROFLMAO:

We love the French and their country, but can have trouble with communications at the best of times. :Doh: :ROFLMAO: The best thing to do is call Yodeli ( Frankie ) ask her nice and she will sort it. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO: Bob
 

moandick

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Or, of course, you could invest in the Big Pitch Guide - the first 8 pages or so deal with Emergency Telephone Numbers and Don Madge's Country by Country Guide to the European health Insurance Guide.

I am not sure how up to date this is now - but here goes:-

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

A Country-by-Country guide to entitlement

Compiled by Don Madge

AUSTRIA

The Republic of Austria joined the European Union (EU) in 1995. The official language is German.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors: the Regional Health Insurance Office - Gebietskrankenkasse – will give you a list of doctors working under the state scheme. If you use a private doctor you will be charged but may be entitled to a partial refund.
 • Prescriptions: you can get prescribed drugs from any pharmacy but you will be charged a fixed amount
 • Hospital treatment: you are covered for both out-patient and in-patient treatment, but you need a doctor's referral. There is a non-refundable daily charge for the first 28 days in hospital. If you are treated privately, whether at your own request or because of an emergency, you may be entitled to a refund from the Gebietskrankenkasse, (Regional Health Insurance Office) which vary from hospital to hospital.
Who handles reimbursements?
The Gebietskrankenkasse (Regional Health Insurance Office).
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Send original receipts with your claim. Keep copies of anything you send for your records.
Where to get information
The Gebietskrankenkasse (Regional Health Insurance Office) responsible for the area where you are staying.

BELGIUM
The Kingdom of Belgium was a founder member of the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU). Dutch, French and German are the main languages.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors, Dentists and prescriptions: you will be charged for seeing a doctor or dentist and for prescribed drugs. You can claim back 75 per cent of these costs.
 • Hospital treatment: you will have to pay part of the costs.
 • Ambulance travel is not covered.
Who handles reimbursements? Sickness Funds Offices (Mutualité/Ziekenfonds).
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
 • Doctors or Dentists: you will need to obtain a receipt on the official form (Attestation de soins donnés/Getuigschrift voor verstrekte hulp).
 • For prescriptions, obtain a receipt and ensure that your copy of the prescription is stamped.
 • Hospital treatment: you will need a certificate from the Sickness Funds Office (Mutualité/Ziekenfonds) stating that it will pay part of your costs.
Where to get information: Brabant Regional Office, Rue du Trône 30B, 1000 Bruxelles
The regional offices of the Auxiliary Fund for Sickness and Invalidity Insurance (Caisse Auxiliaire d'Assurance Maladie-Invalidité/ Hulpkas voor Ziekte-en-Invaliditeitsverzekering). Alternatively, the Local Sickness Funds Mutualité/Ziekenfonds). Auxiliary Fund Offices are usually located in each provincial capital.

FRANCE
The French Republic was a founder member of the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU). The official language is French.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors, Dentists and prescriptions: make sure the doctor or dentist you consult is 'conventionné' - i.e. they work within the French health system. After treatment, obtain a signed statement of the treatment given (a 'feuille de soins') - you can't claim a refund without it. You will be charged for the treatment you receive, as well as for any prescribed medicines, and the amount(s) should be shown on the feuille de soins.
 • Around 70 per cent of standard doctors' and dentists' fees are refunded, and between 35 and 65 per cent of the cost of most prescribed medicines. The cost of common remedies and items such as bandages are refunded at the lower rate. The cost of medicines marked with a ” vignette or N.R. is not recoverable.
 • Hospital treatment: you must pay for out-patient treatment and then claim a partial refund from the local Sickness Insurance Office (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance-Maladie or CPAM). If you are treated as an in-patient in an approved hospital and show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), the office will pay 75 per cent or more of the cost direct to the hospital. You pay the balance. You must also pay a fixed daily hospital charge ('forfait journalier'). The 25 per cent balance and the forfait journalier are non-refundable.
Who handles reimbursements?
Local Sickness Insurance Offices.
Send your application for a refund (the feuille de soins and any prescriptions) to the nearest Sickness Insurance Office while you are still in France. The refund will be sent to your home address later, but it may be subject to a bank charge. Before sending the money order, the French authorities will send you an itemised statement of the amount to be refunded. This refund process normally takes around two months.
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
When you are getting prescribed medicines, the pharmacist will hand you back your prescription and you should attach it to the feuille de soins in order to claim a refund. Medicine containers also carry detachable labels ('vignettes'), showing the name and price of the contents. Stick these in the appropriate place
on the feuille de soins, and sign and date the form at the end.
Where to get information:
Centre des Liaisons Européennes et Internationales de Sécurité Sociale (CLEISS)
11 rue de la Tour des Dames, 75436 Paris Cedex 09. Tel: 0033 1 45 26 33 41
Centre des Liaisons Européennes et Internationales de Sécurité Sociale (CLEISS)
Retiring to France – important changes to the French healthcare system that apply to those who are not yet in receipt of a UK state pension or other eligible benefit
The French authorities are changing their domestic rules on eligibility for health care services for people not working in France. This means that some people including those retiring to France from other European countries (including the United Kingdom) and who are not yet in receipt of a state pension or other eligible benefit will no longer be covered by the French system and will need to take out private health insurance. These changes affect people living in France and do not apply to people making a temporary visit to France,
e.g., on holiday.
 • Early retirees to France: important changes to the French healthcare system

GERMANY
The Federal Republic of Germany was a founder member of the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU). The official language is German.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists. You will need to pay a fixed charge to see a doctor or dentist, which is not refundable.
 • Prescriptions: medicines prescribed by the doctor can be obtained from any pharmacy in exchange for the prescription. You will be liable for a percentage of the prescription charge. These costs are non-refundable. For 'minor' drugs and medicines, such as painkillers and cough mixtures, you may be charged the full amount.
 • Hospital treatment: you can be referred to a hospital by a doctor. In an emergency, you can go directly to a contracted hospital. The hospital will then contact the insurance fund so that they can confirm that your treatment costs will be met. For the first 28 days of hospital in-patient treatment, you will have to pay a fixed daily hospital charge, which will not be reimbursed. Patients up to the age of 18 do not have to pay this charge.
Who handles reimbursements?
Where to get information
The Kommunen (local council).

What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Original receipts.
Where to get information
The AOK (local Health Insurance Fund) or any Substitute Health Insurance Fund -
Ersatzkasse, Betriebskrankenkassen or Innungskrankenkassen, etc

ITALY
The Italian Republic was a founder member of the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU). The official language is Italian; German, French and Slovene are widely spoken in different parts of the country.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: make sure the doctor you go to is a national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN) doctor. Their services are normally free. Surgeries are open from Monday to Friday but times vary. At weekends and on weekdays between 8pm and 8am, emergency services are available through the Guardia Medica. If you pay any charges, keep the original receipts and apply at the local health authority (Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale or ASL) for a refund. Most dentists are private. To get state treatment you will need to go to a national health service hospital or a dentist who is working in an ASL-managed centre.
 • Prescriptions: if an SSN doctor issues you with a prescription, take it and your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the pharmacy. Some medicines are free; for others you will be charged a standard fee, which is non-refundable. The cost of medicines bought over the counter is not refundable.
 • Hospital treatment: the ASL can supply a list of SSN hospitals or private hospitals that are affiliated to the state scheme. Depending on the region you are in, you may or may not have to pay for medicines prescribed in a hospital or for your ambulance travel. If you can't contact the ASL beforehand, show the hospital authorities your EHIC and ask them to contact the local office at once about your right to treatment under the state healthcare scheme.
Who handles reimbursements?
The ASL (local health authority) - also known as AUSL.
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Original receipts.
Where to get information
The ASL (local health authority) - you can get their number from a telephone directory, hotel reception, pharmacy or, in an emergency, by phoning 118.
LIECHTENSTEIN
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area. The main language is German.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: you can see any doctor covered by a contract with the public healthcare scheme. You will have to pay a standard fee. There is no state dental treatment, and you will have to pay the costs of private treatment in full.
 • Hospital treatment: there is only one hospital in Liechtenstein. The competent authority should approve your admission, although no approval is needed in an emergency.
Who handles reimbursements?
National Office of the Economy (Amt für Volkswirtschaft).
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Medical bills, original receipts and a covering letter.
Where to get information:
Amt für Volkswirtschaft (National Office of Economy), Austrasse 15, 9490 Vaduz

LUXEMBOURG
Luxembourg was a founder member of the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU). The national language is Luxembourgish; French and German are also spoken.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors, Dentists and prescriptions: you can go to any doctor. You must pay for treatment and prescribed medicines. Make sure you get receipts for everything you pay for. You will be able to get a refund, although not always for the full amount.
 • Hospital treatment: if a doctor thinks you need hospital treatment, they will issue a certificate which you should give to the hospital authorities. Treatment is normally free but you must pay a non-refundable daily charge. If you can't contact a doctor before being admitted, show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the hospital authorities and ask them to contact the Sickness Insurance Fund.

Who handles reimbursements?
The local Sickness Insurance Fund office (Caisse de Maladie des Ouvriers).
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Original receipts.
Where to get information
Caisse de Maladie des Ouvriers (Sickness Insurance Fund for Manual Workers) 125 Route d'Esch
L-1471 Luxembourg Ville. The Fund also has local offices.

NETHERLANDS
The Kingdom of the Netherlands was a founder member of the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU). The official language is Dutch.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: make sure you see a doctor who is part of the health insurance scheme. Treatment is usually free. State dental care in the Netherlands is limited to treatment for children.
 • Prescriptions: some prescribed medicines are free, for some you pay part of the cost, and for others you'll have to pay the full cost. These charges are not refundable.
 • Hospital treatment: doctors will need authorisation from the AGIS Verzekeringen for you to get free hospital in-patient treatment. If you can't contact a doctor before being admitted, show the hospital authorities your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and ask them to contact AGIS Verzekeringen in Utrecht immediately.
 • Ambulance travel is free only if a doctor agrees that it is necessary.
Where to get information
AGIS Verzekeringen, PO Box 1725, 3800 BS Amersfoort, Tel: +31 33 44 56 870
Local Health Insurance Fund Offices (Zorgverzekeraar) can tell you how to access medical services and give you the names and addresses of GPs, health centres and hospitals that operate within the state system.

PORTUGAL
The Portuguese Republic joined the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU), in 1986. The official language is Portuguese.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: in mainland Portugal, go to the nearest health centre (Centro de Saúde). Show your passport or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and ask to be treated under the EU arrangements. You will be charged a non-refundable standard fee. Dental treatment is limited under the state scheme. You will probably have to pay, and the charges are not refundable. In Madeira (an autonomous region), you can get a partial refund if you see a private doctor. Make sure you get an official (green) receipt.
 • Prescriptions: for some prescribed medicines, you will have to pay between 30 and 80 per cent of the cost. There is no charge for prescriptions issued for certain serious illnesses ('A Level').
 • Hospitals: basic hospital treatment is free, but you'll have to pay for secondary examinations, such as X-rays, and laboratory tests.
Who handles reimbursements?
In Madeira, contact the Regional Health Service Office (Administração Regional de Saúde). The refund will cover only a very small part of your total bill.
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Official original receipts.
Where to get information
Mainland Portugal: the nearest Administração Regional de Saúde (Regional Health Service Office).
The Azores: the Regional Health Service Directorate in Angra do Heroismo.
Madeira: the Regional Health Directorate in Funchal Direccao-Regional de Gestao, Rua das Pretas, hr 1
Funchal

SLOVAK REPUBLIC
The Slovak Republic joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. The official language is Slovak; Hungarian is also spoken.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: make sure the doctor or dentist you see is contracted to the main health insurance company. You will have to pay a non-refundable contribution. If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you will be charged for treatment and may not be able to get a refund. Some basic emergency dental treatment is available free of charge, but you will have to pay a non-refundable contribution.
 • Prescriptions: there is a non-refundable flat fee for each prescription, and you may have to contribute to the cost of the medicine itself. Pharmacies can give you a list of nationally subsidised drugs.
 • Hospitals: a doctor can refer you to hospital, or you can go to the casualty ward of a hospital for emergency treatment. You will have to pay a daily charge (up to a maximum of 21 days) each time you are admitted. All other services and medicines are normally free, but there may be substantial non-refundable charges for complex procedures. If you go to hospital but are not admitted, you will also have to pay a fee.
 • Ambulance travel: if a doctor asks for an ambulance for you, you will be charged a non-refundable fee. If the doctor doesn't think you need an ambulance, you will have to make your own arrangements. In a life-saving emergency, there is no charge for ambulance travel.

Who handles reimbursements?
There are none.
Where to get information
Ministerstvo Zdravotníctva (Slovak Ministry of Health)

SLOVENIA
The Republic of Slovenia joined the European Union (EU) in 2004. The official language is Slovene; Italian, Hungarian and English are also spoken.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: you can get free emergency medical treatment from a doctor in a public health institution, or from a private doctor who is contracted to the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (Zavod za Zdravstveno Zavarovanje Slovenije or ZZZS). If you see a doctor who is not contracted to the ZZZS, you will not be able to claim a refund. You can get emergency dental treatment from dentists contracted to the ZZZS.
 • Prescriptions: for some prescription drugs, you will have to pay 25 to 75 per cent of the cost; for others you will have to pay the full cost. These charges are not refundable. Some drugs are provided free of charge.
 • Hospitals: a doctor will refer you to hospital. In an emergency, you can go to the emergency department of a hospital where you can get free treatment.
 • Ambulance travel: if a doctor refers you to hospital, ambulance travel is free, otherwise you will have to pay 70 per cent of the cost. This is not refundable.
Who handles reimbursements?
If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you will have to pay for your treatment and apply for a refund when you get back to the UK. Contact the Department for Work and Pensions for further information.
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Contact the Department for Work and Pensions for more information and form IPC 1679.
Where to get information
The nearest regional office of the ZZZS (Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia). The office will be able to give you a list of private doctors and dentists contracted to the ZZZS. Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZZZS)

SPAIN
The Kingdom of Spain joined the European Community, the forerunner of the European Union (EU), in 1986. The official language is Spanish.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • Doctors and Dentists: make sure the practitioner you see works within the Spanish state health service. In some parts of the country, particularly the outlying islands, you may have to travel some distance to attend a state surgery ('consultorio'), health centre ('centro sanitario') or hospital clinic ('ambulatorio'). If you need to call out a doctor in an emergency, make it clear that you have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and that you want to be treated under the EU arrangements. Whenever you need treatment, show your EHIC. Dental treatment is not generally provided under the state system, and the costs will not be reimbursed. In Spain, doctors, health centres and hospitals have separate surgery times for private patients and those treated under the state health service. If you are asked to pay, you are not being treated under the Spanish health service and your EHIC will not be accepted.
 • Prescriptions: medicines prescribed by health service practitioners can be obtained from any pharmacy ('farmacia'). You will have to pay up to 40 per cent of the cost unless you are a UK or other European Economic Area (EEA) pensioner, in which case the medicines will be free of charge. You must show proof that you are a state pensioner, otherwise you will be charged 40 per cent of the cost, which you can claim back on your return to the UK. If a hospital says you need medicines after you are discharged, you must take the medical report to a GP, who will give you a prescription.
 • Hospital treatment: a doctor will usually arrange any hospital treatment you may need. In an emergency, you can only get free treatment in a public ward at a public hospital. You must show your EHIC; if not, you will be charged as a private patient and will not get your money back. Under the strict terms of the Spanish health service, there are no refunds for private healthcare charges. Make sure you have private medical insurance in case you are treated in an emergency in a private hospital. Doctors in the emergency departments of state health service hospitals will prescribe medicines on the appropriate medical report, but do not issue official prescriptions. You must take the report to a primary care doctor who will issue the official prescription.
Who handles reimbursements?
There are none. However, if you are a state pensioner and are charged for your prescriptions, you can apply for a refund when you get back to the UK. Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for more information.
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Original receipts.
Where to get information
Servicio Regional de Salud (Regional Health Service Offices).

SWITZERLAND
The Swiss Confederation applies the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) arrangements through an agreement with the European Union (EU). The main languages are Swiss German, French and Italian.
What treatment is covered and what will I be charged for?
 • You will normally have to pay the full costs for treatment and services and claim a refund afterwards. You will have to pay a fixed charge for each 30-day period of treatment. This is known as the 'excess charge' or 'patient's contribution' and is not refunded. It is recommended that all visitors take out adequate private travel insurance.
 • Doctors and Dentists: go to any doctor registered with the Swiss health insurance scheme. Dental treatment is not covered unless it results from serious illness or accident.
 • Hospital treatment: you will normally be referred to a public hospital by a doctor. In an emergency, go directly to the emergency department of any public hospital. In-patient treatment in a general ward of a public hospital is covered, but not in a semi-private or private ward, or in a private hospital. As well as the excess charge, you will have to pay a small, non-refundable, fixed daily in-patient charge for the cost of board and accommodation.
 • Ambulance travel: you will have to pay 50 per cent of the costs of ambulance transport within Switzerland, including air ambulance.
Who handles reimbursements?
The Common Institution the Federal Sickness Insurance Act (Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG).
What documentation do I need to claim money back?
Original receipts.
Where to get information
Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG (Common Institution), Gibelinstrasse 25, Postfach CH-4503 Solothurn
Tel: +41 32 625 48 20 - Fax: +41 32 625 48 29


Dick

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seymore

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Feb 13, 2010
25
3
Newcastle under Lyme.
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Van coversion
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This is the 4th van weve done
European healthcare

wow! I told the misses we'd get some good replies this is outstanding cheers. dave
 
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seymore

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Feb 13, 2010
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Newcastle under Lyme.
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Van coversion
Exp
This is the 4th van weve done
thanks

thanks for the welcome we got at Newark show we really enjoyed the weekend.As you know this was our first meet with the funsters and it wont be the last.It was a pleasure to meet you and jane oh and cheers for the info, are you sure Frankie wont mind strangers calling for information it dont seem right somehow. dave
 
Oct 12, 2008
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thanks for the welcome we got at Newark show we really enjoyed the weekend.As you know this was our first meet with the funsters and it wont be the last.It was a pleasure to meet you and jane oh and cheers for the info, are you sure Frankie wont mind strangers calling for information it dont seem right somehow. dave

No problem at all !!! You just PM me before you 're leaving and i gie you my mobile numberso that in case of emergency you can call me (well better text actually , as it is clearer for me to read your words , know who you are etc....). Or even you can ask a french person to call me (ie garage mechanic)!

I f you forgot , ask for help on here , there will always be someone who has my number who will let me know !

Bon Voyage!!!:thumb::thumb:

Amicalement

Frankie::bigsmile:::bigsmile:

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