Health Insurance and EHIC (1 Viewer)

[motorhomer]

Sorry if I am repeating questions that already appear on here, but things do change and I just want to check latest views.

I have had some health issues this year which basically means I cannot get insurance cover for any of the health issues that are most likely to matter to me when travelling. I guess, sadly, that means that leaving the EU is no longer realistically possible, but I am hoping the the EHIC card will be enough in the EU.

I have read that it is no longer possible to reclaim some of the costs retrospectively from the NHS but presumably most costs would still be covered by the scheme?

Do others rely solely on EHIC when in EU?

Any info re recent experience gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[scotjimland]

Do others rely solely on EHIC when in EU?

yes.. always,

and have done so for as long as I can remember and never had an issue getting treatment abroad .. been to doctors, eye hospital and general hospitals several times over the years..

unless you want a dead body repatriated, or if you are in hospital and want to get back to a UK one and you need transport... you don't need private medical insurance ..

Personally, I'd rather stay in France or Spain and get better care

 

[vwalan]

hardly know any long term traveller that has or can afford to buy health travel insurance . ehic is it .
just chuck a few quid into a pot every time you go away .
after all dont need to be brought back to uk . you can be buried in most other countries .
hee hee .
thats how you have to think about it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Mel]

I can only say for Belgium.
A friend became ill while over here and was in hospital.
He never paid a cent over here they said it would all be paid by the UK.
Even we have to pay a part here.
So if your near Belgium and ill it should all be OK with your EHIC.

Mel

 

[motorhomer]

Thanks for replies, they are reassuring.

 

[Geejay]

Well, I'm more risk averse than these replies and wouldn't travel without insurance. The biggest cost is repatriation - you might not be happy spending 6 months in a foreign hospital. And there are new rules which mean you can't claim a refund for any charges in the UK. It all depends on your attitude to risk. Here's a couple of websites with independent advice:http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/free-ehic-card
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}