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The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is an essential step towards the
simplification of our various healthcare systems. Introduced in June 2004, the
card substantially facilitates access to medical assistance for EU citizens
travelling to another Member State. Furthermore, it guarantees a quick and
simplified reimbursement of expenses incurred locally or shortly after return to
the place of residence.
Since 1 January 2006, the European Health Insurance Card
is issued and recognised by all concerned countries and replaces the previously
used paper forms, such as the well-known E 111.
People entitled to the EHIC
The European Health Insurance Card is issued to:
- EU nationals
- nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Swiss nationals
- family members of the above, whatever their nationality
- nationals of other countries, who are covered by a social security system in
one of the Member States of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland
The EHIC should be requested from one’s national health insurance
institutions before leaving for another EU country. All EU citizens are strongly
advised to carry their European health insurance cards when travelling to other
countries.
Benefits
While the main purpose of the European Health Insurance Card is to ensure
easy access to health services during a temporary stay in another country, it
also provides a series of additional benefits, for healthcare providers,
patients and insurers alike. The main advantages of the EHIC may be summarised
as follows:
- facilitated access to health care abroad
- quick and easy reimbursement of expenses
- security of data
- improved reliability
- less administration
- simplicity – simpler and faster procedures for obtaining healthcare
Generally speaking, this ‘smart card’ contains only basic information
such as the card holder’s name and surname and date of birth, but no medical
details. It is simple to use and easily recognisable. Further, the information
is presented in a standardised way, so that it could be read regardless of the
language.
The Smart Card
A "smart card" is a pocket-sized plastic card, which looks
identical to usual bank or credit cards.
Smart Cards have a small gold chip on the front. When inserted into a specific
reader, the chip makes contact with electrical connectors that can read
information from the chip and write information back.
The information is saved on a health card
The only personal information on the European health insurance card is the
card holder’s surname and first name, personal identification number and date
of birth. The European health insurance card does not contain any medical data.
Where the health card is accepted
The EHIC can be used to receive any kind of health service, being it at a
general practitioner, a hospital or a pharmacy. The EU Member States are
responsible for the introduction and dissemination of the health cards, but also
for the provision of all concerned health care facilities with card readers.
Using the European Health Insurance Card abroad
It is important to note that the health insurance card does not provide for
cases in which a patient intentionally decides to obtain medical treatment
abroad. Rather, it is intended to insure people travelling to other countries
for a limited period and thus covers medical care which becomes necessary during
a stay on the territory of another Member State.
When a need for access to
healthcare arises, treatment will be provided according to the rules of that
particular country (for example if healthcare is free of charge in that Member
State, the visiting patient will also be entitled to free medical care when
presenting his/her European Health Insurance Card).
The provisional replacement certificate
In case the individual in need of medical assistance is not in possession of
his European Health Insurance Card, he can alternatively present a provisional
replacement certificate that can easily be sent by fax or e-mail by the relevant
home national health insurance institution. This certificate is equivalent to
the EHIC and entitles the patient to the same treatment and reimbursement of
benefits.
The design of the EHIC
The design of the European Health Insurance Card is identical in all Member
States and bears the European symbol. There are two variations of this layout:
- Standard EU design placed on the front of the card leaving the back of
the card free for content chosen by the respective Member State
- Standard EU design placed on the back of the card – in this case the
Member State places the EHIC on the back of the existing national or regional
health card
Each Member State can opt for one of the possible variants when issuing the
health card.
Text last edited on: 12/2007
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.
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