Post by Phil on May 16, 2007 22:40:59 GMT
E111/EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
There are arrangements throughout the European Economic Area (the 25 EU member states, plus Norway, Iceland and Leichtenstein) and Switzerland for coordinating the health care systems of member states. If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to any of these countries, free or reduced-cost emergency treatment is available – on production of a valid EHIC.
The important thing to remember is that only state provided treatment is covered, and you will receive treatment on the same terms as residents of the country you are visiting. Private treatment is generally not covered, and state provided treatment may not cover all of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS. The EHIC will cover "all necessary treatment" arising from the accident or emergency.
It may be applied for HERE
E112
The EHIC only covers treatment arising from the initial emergency. It will not cover you if you require routine, non-emergency treatment after an accident (for example, follow-up consultations, physio etc). The EHIC will also not cover treatment for any pre-existing condition you may have. For this, you will need Form E112, which is not issued automatically but requires authorisation from the Department of Health (the reason for all this is that different reimbursement arrangements apply between member states - generally member states absorb the costs of any EHICs presented, but we reimburse the actual costs of E112-based treatment, so other countries are very keen to source this if at all possible )
Unless you have an E112, you will have to pay for the treatment you receive and you will not be able to obtain a refund of the costs. Unfortunately, the form is not available on a 'just in case' basis - so you can't normally just apply for one before you go.
Having said that, there are always exceptions The E112 has two additional (and lesser-known) uses.
If you know in advance that you will need treatment for a pre-existing condition while you are away (for instance, you may need regular blood tests), you can apply for an E112 in advance and take it with you. This would need to be supported by a letter from your doctor confirming the need for continuing treatment while you are away.
[ii] If you are waiting for an operation on the NHS and your local Trust cannot offer the treatment you need in the timescale you need it, you may apply for an E112 to have the treatment carried out abroad at a state facility of your choice. The Trust would need to agree to this (in writing) and must also agree to the funding - don't laugh, it does happen , especially where capacity is short.
The E112 is available, upon application, only through the Department of Health. The contact details are:
Department of Health - International Branch
Room 621 Wellington House
133–155 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UG
Tel: 020 7210 4850
Or, for Northern Ireland:
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
General Medical Services Branch
Room D3, Castle Buildings
Stormont
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 2890
Finally, please remember that during the course of 2005 the UK will be adopting the European Health Insurance Card. This will be automatically issued to those who apply for the new E111 form and tick the box to receive the new card.
RECIPROCAL HEALTH AGREEMENTS
The UK has also negotiated reciprocal health agreements with the following countries around the world:
Anguilla
Australia
Barbados
British Virgin Islands
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Isle of Man
Montserrat
New Zealand
Romania
Russia
St Helena
Turks and Caicos Islands
former USSR (Soviet Union)
Yugoslavia and successor states
As with the EHIC in the EU, only urgently needed treatment will be provided and you will be treated on the same terms as residents of the country in question. The range of medical services may also be more restricted than under the NHS, and if charges are involved, these cannot be refunded by the British Government. You should carry sufficient insurance to cover them.
In order to obtain treatment, you will normally have to state that you wish to be treated under the terms of the agreement and produce your passport or some proof of UK residence, such as a driving licence or medical card.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
NONE OF THE "E" FORMS OR THE RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS COVER REPATRIATION TO THE UK - YOU MUST HAVE ADEQUATE PRIVATE INSURANCE IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE
There are arrangements throughout the European Economic Area (the 25 EU member states, plus Norway, Iceland and Leichtenstein) and Switzerland for coordinating the health care systems of member states. If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to any of these countries, free or reduced-cost emergency treatment is available – on production of a valid EHIC.
The important thing to remember is that only state provided treatment is covered, and you will receive treatment on the same terms as residents of the country you are visiting. Private treatment is generally not covered, and state provided treatment may not cover all of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS. The EHIC will cover "all necessary treatment" arising from the accident or emergency.
It may be applied for HERE
E112
The EHIC only covers treatment arising from the initial emergency. It will not cover you if you require routine, non-emergency treatment after an accident (for example, follow-up consultations, physio etc). The EHIC will also not cover treatment for any pre-existing condition you may have. For this, you will need Form E112, which is not issued automatically but requires authorisation from the Department of Health (the reason for all this is that different reimbursement arrangements apply between member states - generally member states absorb the costs of any EHICs presented, but we reimburse the actual costs of E112-based treatment, so other countries are very keen to source this if at all possible )
Unless you have an E112, you will have to pay for the treatment you receive and you will not be able to obtain a refund of the costs. Unfortunately, the form is not available on a 'just in case' basis - so you can't normally just apply for one before you go.
Having said that, there are always exceptions The E112 has two additional (and lesser-known) uses.
If you know in advance that you will need treatment for a pre-existing condition while you are away (for instance, you may need regular blood tests), you can apply for an E112 in advance and take it with you. This would need to be supported by a letter from your doctor confirming the need for continuing treatment while you are away.
[ii] If you are waiting for an operation on the NHS and your local Trust cannot offer the treatment you need in the timescale you need it, you may apply for an E112 to have the treatment carried out abroad at a state facility of your choice. The Trust would need to agree to this (in writing) and must also agree to the funding - don't laugh, it does happen , especially where capacity is short.
The E112 is available, upon application, only through the Department of Health. The contact details are:
Department of Health - International Branch
Room 621 Wellington House
133–155 Waterloo Road
London SE1 8UG
Tel: 020 7210 4850
Or, for Northern Ireland:
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
General Medical Services Branch
Room D3, Castle Buildings
Stormont
Upper Newtownards Road
Belfast BT4 3SQ
Tel: 028 9052 2890
Finally, please remember that during the course of 2005 the UK will be adopting the European Health Insurance Card. This will be automatically issued to those who apply for the new E111 form and tick the box to receive the new card.
RECIPROCAL HEALTH AGREEMENTS
The UK has also negotiated reciprocal health agreements with the following countries around the world:
Anguilla
Australia
Barbados
British Virgin Islands
Bulgaria
Channel Islands
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar
Isle of Man
Montserrat
New Zealand
Romania
Russia
St Helena
Turks and Caicos Islands
former USSR (Soviet Union)
Yugoslavia and successor states
As with the EHIC in the EU, only urgently needed treatment will be provided and you will be treated on the same terms as residents of the country in question. The range of medical services may also be more restricted than under the NHS, and if charges are involved, these cannot be refunded by the British Government. You should carry sufficient insurance to cover them.
In order to obtain treatment, you will normally have to state that you wish to be treated under the terms of the agreement and produce your passport or some proof of UK residence, such as a driving licence or medical card.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
NONE OF THE "E" FORMS OR THE RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS COVER REPATRIATION TO THE UK - YOU MUST HAVE ADEQUATE PRIVATE INSURANCE IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE
