This state issued health card gives certain EEA (European Economic Area) countries and Switzerland r

Most UK residents can apply for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to help cover the costs of any medical treatment they need whilst traveling in certain European countries. This leads many to believe that they don t need to take out travel insurance as their card will cover them. Can an EHIC card give enough cover for a trip or a holiday in Europe?
This state issued health card gives certain EEA (European Economic Area) countries and Switzerland reciprocal health care privileges. A UK resident, for example, that holds an EHIC can use the card to access medical services if they need treatment when visiting a country that is part of the scheme.
The treatment given based on EHIC card membership may be free or may be given at a reduced student discount travel cost. It is usually given by state-run health providers such as the NHS and not by those operating in the private sector. These cards are issued to individuals, last for up to five years and can be applied for by phone, by completing a form that can be picked up at a Post Office or online at the EHIC website .
The EHIC card is a replacement for the E111 form. This form used to give the benefits that the new card gives. Those holding E111 forms cannot use them any longer as they are now invalid, even if they are dated into the future. They now have to apply for a new EHIC card to continue under the scheme.
The EHIC card does give some free or reduced cost medical benefits for those traveling in certain areas of Europe. The treatment available and the costs involved generally depend on the health care system of the country in question. If its own residents have to pay for treatment then there will be costs involved in most cases.
But, the card covers basic medical treatment and care in the event of illness or accident and may not give the kind of comprehensive cover that a travel policy will give. For this reason the recommendation is that individuals carry an EHIC and a specific insurance policy student discount travel with them to cover all eventualities.
For example, the EHIC system student discount travel does not cover any private health care costs and is not designed to support student discount travel major expenses such as medical repatriation. student discount travel Plus, a travel student discount travel policy , of course, also gives protection for personal possessions and travel-related problems such as cancellations, delays and curtailment that an EHIC won t cover.
In some cases the cost of any treatment that is given can be claimed back from the country in which it was given. For example, some countries ask for payment upfront and then allow the patient to claim back later. Reimbursement claims may also often be made once back in the UK. Bear in mind that not all costs will necessarily be repaid in full. Generally, the individual will be reimbursed based on NHS standards.
In some cases travel student discount travel insurance companies will agree to waive the excess on their policies for people that hold valid EHICs when they travel. This won t necessarily lower the costs of buying a policy but could save money if a claim needs to be made. It s also worth remembering that some insurance companies won t insure people that don t have a valid EHIC so this may need to be checked before applying for a policy.
Those looking for a travel insurance product to work in tandem with their European Health Insurance Card may want to take some time to consider which kind of policy will suit them best . There are also various ways to keep holiday cover costs low which may also be useful.