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 truth solely legitimate in EU international locations (except for a number of*) and generally Switzerland too. It isn’t going to be of any use anyplace else on the earth.
Enjoyable reality: It’s all within the title. The International a part of the title signifies that the holder is just not 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 underneath the withdrawal settlement to entry healthcare in EU international locations). The GHIC – formally generally known as a UK GHIC – is a medical health insurance card for UK residents, now not a part of the EU, to entry remedy 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 decreased price state-provided healthcare the place medically essential. The wording right here is essential:
- State supplied might or is probably not free or decreased, the costs would be the similar as for a nationwide of that nation.
- Free or decreased healthcare is probably not the identical issues which can 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 will have travelled so as to get remedy then you definately received’t be entitled to particular charges.
Do I would like journey insurance coverage if I’ve a GHIC?
Sure! The above bullet factors are simply among the the explanation why the .gov web site states:
“Your UK GHIC is just not an alternative to journey insurance coverage. It is best to take out non-public 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
Exterior the UK many medical remedies don’t come totally free – even for residents of that nation. Further costs could also be added to a hospital invoice that we aren’t used to seeing within the UK, together with costs for tools, provides, meals, medicines… and that may all add up.
GHICs additionally received’t cowl issues like mountain rescue in case you are injured on a ski journey for instance, and the large bills equivalent to medical repatriation are additionally not lined.
Journey Insurance coverage additionally gives 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 now not capable of 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 sick or being injured.
Can I nonetheless use my EHIC?
Whether it is nonetheless legitimate, then sure – the final EHICS have 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 underneath the restricted use of GHICs, so now not legitimate in non-EU European international locations e.g. Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. As said above, UK EHICS are additionally out there to those that have been allowed particular entry underneath the withdrawal settlement.
GHICs are free – so get one!
There are a number of websites on the market which can be charging individuals a dealing with charge to get a GHIC, this isn’t essential – GHICS can be found instantly from by way of the NHS and they’re FREE – you’ll be able to apply for GHIC on the NHS web site. When you apply you’ll be despatched an electronic mail with all the main points you want till your card arrives, be sure to take your card with you whereas on vacation – if you happen to discover that you just’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 is just not legitimate for remedy 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 sick 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.
