Author Topic: EHIC Brexit  (Read 5057 times)

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Offline Maik

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EHIC Brexit
« on: Wednesday, 25 January, 2017 @ 14:44:02 »
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Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit could mean the end of free medical treatment for travellers to the EU

British citizens may lose their right to free or subsidised medical treatment when they visit the EU after Brexit, the Health Secretary has admitted.

Jeremy Hunt told MPs he could give no guarantees that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will survive EU withdrawal.

His admission comes after Theresa May acknowledged British citizens may have to pay to visit the EU after Brexit under a planned visa-waiver scheme.

Without the cards, it is feared that the cost of travel insurance will rise as insurers find themselves liable for medical treatment that is currently free of charge.

Figures released last year suggested UK travellers in Europe had saved around £1.2bn since the EHIC scheme began in 2006.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-hunt-brexit-medical-treatment-ehic-health-select-committee-labour-a7544396.html

Offline U4ea

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Re: EHIC Brexit
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday, 25 January, 2017 @ 16:24:00 »
By the same token Citizens of the Countries remaining in the EU won't get free treatment in the UK which should ease things for the NHS.

Offline Maik

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Re: EHIC Brexit
« Reply #2 on: Thursday, 26 January, 2017 @ 17:31:09 »
Sounds like good news all round for those selling holiday insurance / private medical care?

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A valid European Health Insurance Card gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country.

The EHIC also covers the treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, provided the reason for your visit is not specifically to give birth or seek treatment.
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

Perhaps it simply wasn't well enough 'policed' in the UK?

Anyway, if UK citizens lose EHIC benefits then adequate travel insurance is even more essential.



Offline U4ea

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Re: EHIC Brexit
« Reply #3 on: Thursday, 26 January, 2017 @ 21:09:27 »
The EHIC given treatment of the standard and level that locals get it.

So, for example UK nationals might not get as good a treatment in Bulgaria that they might at home, so it's always worth having good insurance anyway.

I stress the "good" because tgere are some really bad policies out there.

Offline Maik

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Re: EHIC Brexit
« Reply #4 on: Friday, 27 January, 2017 @ 17:24:02 »
The EHIC given treatment of the standard and level that locals get it.

Yes, that's the intention of EHIC. Amazingly, some people (manage to) travel abroad without any insurance and rely on EHIC. Bad idea.