EHIC's

More than four million British holidaymakers could go abroad this year without completing a simple piece of paperwork which saves time and money if they are unlucky enough to need medical treatment on their travels.

The revised EHIC form, free from post offices, provides free or reduced-cost state-funded health care in 25 EU states and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Post Office head of travel Hugh Stacey says: "We are extremely concerned that travellers do not recognise the importance of the EHIC.

"Millions of holidaymakers leave themselves vulnerable to unnecessary headaches in recovering medical costs they are entitled to receive as a UK resident, should they be taken ill or involved in an accident on holiday."

Few also realise that millions of EHIC forms issued last year are now invalid.

Nobody should see an EHIC as a substitute for travel insurance. But you will need it to be admitted to hospital or see a doctor or dentist.

Research by the Post Office has found 42% of holidaymakers are unaware of the benefits of an EHIC, a third believe UK residents don't need them and 70% don't realise EHIC’s issued before August 19, 2004, are now invalid.

It is particularly important to get an EHIC this year because the form includes a box you can tick to receive the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued from January 2006. This card, part of a plan for a common healthcare system in 25 EU countries, will eventually be built into the Government's controversial identity-card scheme.

Once you've got your new EHIC stamped at the post office, Richard says, these are the key points to remember:

• Always keep a photocopy of your EHIC with the original. In France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovak Republic and Spain a copy is required as well as the original.
• Check the destination is covered by the EHIC.
• Check the small print. Some insurers only cover medical costs above those in the EHIC.
• Check to see if an insurer will waive the excess - averaging £50 - on your policy if you have an EHIC. Sainsbury's Bank, Select, Europ-Assistance and Halifax are among those which do, while others refuse to pay for treatment they say should have been covered by an EHIC.
• Is the destination country safe or has the Foreign Office advised against travel?
• Reciprocal agreements may cover non-EU countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Croatia and Barbados.

To get an EHIC, pick up the leaflet Health Advice For Travellers at a Post Office or travel agency. Forms can be downloaded from the Department of Health website (www.dh.gov.uk) or ordered by calling 0800 555 777. Each member of the family needs an individual EHIC, though one application covers the family.

Article reproduced with permission from icNewcastle.co.uk
Produced by The Journal on May 10, 2005.
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IMPORTANT CHANGES TO THE EHIC

If you have an EHIC, now is the time to change it, as a new form has been introduced to replace the old one. The main difference is that the new form is issued on an individual, as opposed to a family, basis. However you will only need to complete one application form in order to receive EHICs for everyone in your family. During the course of 2005, the UK will be adopting the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This will be automatically issued to those who apply for the new EHIC form and tick the box to receive the new card.

EHICs allow you to get free, or reduced cost, emergency medical treatment in some European countries, provided they have signed a reciprocal agreement with the UK for health services. They are not a replacement for travel insurance for travellers to Europe. Few countries pay the full cost of medical treatment, and extra travel and accommodation expenses and repatriation costs are not covered by the reciprocal healthcare arrangements. Nevertheless, carrying an EHIC form is a good idea – for example, some insurers may waive the medical excess if you use it.

The Post Office is warning that for those travellers who have been issued an EHIC before August 19th 2004, but are not travelling until after December 31st, will not be covered.