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Re: EHIC cards

Posted: December 29th, 2020, 3:23 pm
by tjh290633
bluedonkey wrote:I was interested to hear that you used the Amex Platinum medical insurance. My wife had need of that while travelling in Central America. A bit like your experience, the service from Amex medical insurance was absolutely exemplary. However, it's not cheap. It sounds like you ceased using Amex Platinum, why was that? I'm always in two minds whether to renew due to the cost, but then I think of how valuable it was when it was needed.

I dropped it because they reduced the maximum age for cover below my then age. I still have the plain unvarnished AMEX card, which is useful for large amounts in odd circumstances, although having ceased work, the need is less frequent. In the past, buying airline tickets and paying hotel bills was the principal use. Unexpectedly prolonged stays in foreign parts was a major hazard, or being diverted elsewhere at short notice.

TJH

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: December 29th, 2020, 9:41 pm
by stockton
I have certainly had a reasonable experience with the EHIC card, but in Spain it is important to realise the implication of "what you receive is similar treatment to a local". That means that because Spaniards have to be pre-registered for day-to-day medical attention the system does not work effectively for tourists because they will not be pre-registered.
For more serious matters you go to "Emergencies" where you will be asked to show your EHIC card and thereafter receive treatment much as a local - which may be very good or sometimes farcically inadequate.
My experience in Poland was to turn up at the hospital, show my card, be seen almost immediately, be taken in overnight, have my heart restarted and be let out before midday. That was pretty impressive.
Overall it seems to be a good system which needs revising to avoid the registration problem.

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: December 31st, 2020, 3:23 pm
by Lootman
Looks like the cards will still be valid until expiry, and then replaced with a card with similar utility:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2020/12/3 ... d-in-2021/

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: December 31st, 2020, 3:31 pm
by PinkDalek
Lootman wrote:Looks like the cards will still be valid until expiry, and then replaced with a card with similar utility:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2020/12/3 ... d-in-2021/


Isn't that what the OP >>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44850972 said or is there something new in your link?

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: December 31st, 2020, 3:34 pm
by Lootman
PinkDalek wrote:
Lootman wrote:Looks like the cards will still be valid until expiry, and then replaced with a card with similar utility:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2020/12/3 ... d-in-2021/

Isn't that what the OP >>> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44850972 said or is there something new in your link?

The article is dated today and I assumed it is reflecting and confirming whatever was in the Brexit deal that was approved yesterday. If there is nothing new there then I apologise; I did not read this entire topic.

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: January 5th, 2021, 9:02 pm
by swill453
The EHIC covered the EU27 countries plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland & Liechtenstein. The new GHIC (Global HIC) covers ... (wait for it) ... only the EU27 countries.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/health ... ance-card/

Scott.

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: February 19th, 2021, 7:09 pm
by terminal7
On 28/12 I reported:

I have reapplied 2 days ago. Application accepted and acknowledged. Wait in hope
.

I received today a UK Global Health Insurance Card. It states that the card entitles you to free or reduced cost state-provided healthcare etc.... during a temporary visit to the EU'. Also 'you may be covered in some non-EU countries. Check . . . '

Unlike the boring grey EHIC card, this one has a waving Union Jack as background - cannot wait to try out in France.

T7

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: February 21st, 2021, 5:47 am
by AF62
terminal7 wrote:Unlike the boring grey EHIC card, this one has a waving Union Jack as background - cannot wait to try out in France.

T7


When I received mine a few days ago I did think that the Daily Express readership must have had a hand in the design, but then thought they never make it any further overseas than the Isle of Wight ;) .

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: April 16th, 2021, 11:19 am
by terminal7
I know that hardly anyone been away - but just in case - has anyone has the opportunity to use the UK GHIC?

Hoping to get away June/July and needing to decide travel insurance cover for France.

T7

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: April 16th, 2021, 11:15 pm
by gryffron
EHICs have never been a substitute for insurance. Since even pre-brexit they didn’t cover plenty of things. First treatment in private hospitals, second fees that many countries charge their own citizens (often hospital food), third medical repatriation flights.

Many insurance policies, especially cheaper Europe-only cover, require you to have an EHIC, because it covers some treatments overseas and thus reduces risks and costs for the insurance companies.

Gryff

Re: EHIC cards

Posted: April 17th, 2021, 4:50 pm
by tjh290633
My wife was hospitalised in Oslo for a ruptured appendix. The Norwegian NHS did an excellent job, there were no charges and I got £100 a day for having used the EHIC card from my then insurer (AMEX Platinum). The Travel Insurance covered hotel expenses, the cost of repatriation but not some expenses which the daily rate was supposed to cover.

TJH