Information regarding the EU health care card

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 11:04

hello everyone, here is a useful information about the new health care card

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 11:10

Hi Lilli,



Yes these do seem quite good for traveler's but one thing that is on this website is:



http://www.ehic.org/eligibility.html



'The EHIC is however not valid for persons who are moving abroad to live or those going abroad to work for a foreign employer.'



I am not sure how we would fare trying to claim on this card, I was thinking that if we went over the border, when we are residents here.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 11:12

Hi Scooby i was think more of people who visit here from time to time, xx

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 11:21

You are right Lilli, but would it help anyone visiting the TRNC?



I really do not know the answer but it will be good for travellers.



Anyway, I have my visitors applying for them on line just in case and the cards only take a week to arrive

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 11:25

I know of people who have the card and went across the border for treatment, like you i do not know the answer but as cyprus , the whole island is supposed to be in the EU, it may be worth applying for x

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 11:27

Nothing to lose Lilli if you have it as it is free and as you say the whole island is supposed to be in the EU

nurseawful



Joined: 06/02/2009
Posts: 5934

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 12:56

The card is not valid in North Cyprus. or Turkey.



Chris

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 18:59

Nurse Awful is correct, but in an emergency you can try over the border where it is valid. You might have to tell a few fibs if you are LIVING here as opposed to visiting on holiday.

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:08

Hi All,



I do not travel without my EHIC card. You just supply your social insurance number to the health authorities in your home country and it will be provided in a few days.



If I am correct in thinking many on this forum are UK pensioners, then I think you should still be eligible to apply.



Whatever about the benefits of the public health service in South Cyprus, think about the superb services in countries such as France and the Netherlands. If you fall ill in the airport on your arrival, you will still be covered for absolutely everything.



It may be cynical but many Brits and Irish are now becoming health tourists in order to bypass long waiting lists in the UK NHS and Irish HSE. Book a holiday to France and hey presto!



The EU has to be good for something.



DD

kaiserphil


Joined: 14/12/2008
Posts: 1096

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:26

Yes, as a pensioner living in Germany, I had obtained the E111 equivalent card from the German health service when I arrived here.

However, I now have had to apply for another UK one, which has now arrived. I wonder when the situation will be reversed once again?

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:28

Warning: I got my EHIC card when they first came out and didn't realise it has a 'use by date' and has to be replaced every 5 years. Check and make sure yours is still valid.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:42

Thanks for the reminder Greenman. Just looked ours up and see we are due for renewal next year. I will make sure we do. We havne't used them, and have in fact been as far as France (!) but fortunately haven't needed to have it, but as it is a freebie, I think it is well worth having, as an 'insurance'.



I hope we don't have to use it, but it is reassuring to know that we might be useful someday, and I would recommend that people get one, even though it is NOT v alid here in North Cyprus. If I feel I am going to collapse, I will make sure I cross the border before I do.

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:43

What has happened to the E121 .. Wasn't this the one for pensioners

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:48

The EHIC replaces the E121

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 19:51

Thanks Woodspeckie

Sandcastle


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 215

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 20:09

Also remember the card is FREE! one web site charges for them but if you go direct they are free. We thought we were going direct and were charged!!!

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 20:11

thank you sandcastle x so you cant apply on line then, do you have to go direct to your health authority.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 20:18

You can apply online but need an EU address:

See here for UK:

https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
29/03/2010 20:20

thank you greenie xx

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
30/03/2010 00:19

You cannot use the card in the TRNC though.

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
30/03/2010 00:21

bill we know but we can sneek into th eu sush xxxxx

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
30/03/2010 00:23

Trust me, I won't say a word.