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Over 5 million European Well being Insurance coverage Playing cards (EHICs) expired in 2022 and at the moment are changed by the International Well being Insurance coverage Card (GHIC). Right here is all it’s essential to know – together with why you continue to want journey insurance coverage!
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What’s a GHIC and the place can I exploit it?
It’s a International Well being Insurance coverage Card, and though it makes use of the phrase International, the GHIC is in reality solely legitimate in EU international locations (aside from a number of*) and usually Switzerland too. It isn’t going to be of any use wherever else on this planet.
Enjoyable reality: It’s all within the title. The International a part of the title signifies that the holder will not be from an EU nation. European Well being Insurance coverage Playing cards nonetheless exist – now referred to as UK EHICS – so named as a result of they’re to be used by residents which have rights beneath the withdrawal settlement to entry healthcare in EU international locations). The GHIC – formally generally known as a UK GHIC – is a medical insurance card for UK residents, not a part of the EU, to entry therapy in EU international locations.
What does the UK International Well being Insurance coverage Card cowl?
Just about the identical because the EHIC, however not as complete in its cowl. As a rule it entitles the holder to free or diminished value state-provided healthcare the place medically essential. The wording right here is essential:
- State offered might or will not be free or diminished, the costs would be the similar as for a nationwide of that nation.
- Free or diminished healthcare will not be the identical issues which might be free on the NHS.
- Solely remedies deemed medically essential qualify for canopy – if it might wait till you get again out of your journey, or you could have travelled in an effort to get therapy you then gained’t be entitled to particular charges.
Do I want journey insurance coverage if I’ve a GHIC?
Sure! The above bullet factors are simply among the explanation why the .gov web site states:
“Your UK GHIC will not be an alternative to journey insurance coverage. It’s best to take out personal journey insurance coverage earlier than your journey. [The GHIC] might not cowl all well being prices and by no means covers being flown again to the UK (medical repatriation).” Discover out extra at gov.uk
Outdoors the UK many medical remedies don’t come free of charge – even for residents of that nation. Further fees could also be added to a hospital invoice that we aren’t used to seeing within the UK, together with fees for tools, provides, meals, medicines… and that may all add up.
GHICs additionally gained’t cowl issues like mountain rescue if you’re injured on a ski journey for instance, and the large bills comparable to medical repatriation are additionally not lined.
Journey Insurance coverage additionally presents issues a medical insurance coverage card can’t – journey insurance coverage for current medical circumstances, assist in case your passport or belongings are misplaced or stolen, prices incurred from cancelled flights or bookings, and even when private circumstances imply that you’re not in a position to journey. Journey insurance coverage is a product that compliments a GHIC, offering cowl and peace of thoughts particularly for current well being circumstances and unexpected circumstances past falling unwell or being injured.
Can I nonetheless use my EHIC?
Whether it is nonetheless legitimate, then sure – the final EHICS had been issued in 2020 (the GHIC changed it in January 2021) and have been allowed to run as much as their 5 yr expiry date. Nevertheless, all EHICs now fall beneath the restricted use of GHICs, so not legitimate in non-EU European international locations e.g. Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. As acknowledged above, UK EHICS are additionally out there to those that have been allowed particular entry beneath the withdrawal settlement.
GHICs are free – so get one!
There are a number of websites on the market which might be charging folks a dealing with charge to get a GHIC, this isn’t essential – GHICS can be found instantly from through the NHS and they’re FREE – you possibly can apply for GHIC on the NHS web site. When you apply you may be despatched an e mail with all the small print you want till your card arrives, ensure you take your card with you whereas on vacation – when you discover that you simply’ve misplaced it or left it behind you’ll want to use for a brief certificates.
*The GHIC isn’t legitimate in Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. It will not be legitimate for therapy in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein both.
Don’t neglect your journey insurance coverage!
Journey insurance coverage is a product that compliments a GHIC, offering cowl and peace of thoughts particularly for current well being circumstances and unexpected circumstances past falling unwell or being injured.
Get your journey insurance coverage quote on-line at this time.
This text was initially revealed in October 2022. The content material has been up to date.
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