Over 5 million European Well being Insurance coverage Playing cards (EHICs) expired in 2022 and at the moment are changed by the World Well being Insurance coverage Card (GHIC). Right here is all you have 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 take advantage of it?
It’s a World Well being Insurance coverage Card, and though it makes use of the phrase World, the GHIC is in truth solely legitimate in EU international locations (except just a few*) and typically Switzerland too. It isn’t going to be of any use anyplace else on the earth.
Enjoyable truth: It’s all within the title. The World a part of the title signifies that the holder isn’t from an EU nation. European Well being Insurance coverage Playing cards nonetheless exist – now known 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 insurance card for UK residents, now not a part of the EU, to entry remedy in EU international locations.
What does the UK World 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 lowered price state-provided healthcare the place medically crucial. The wording right here is essential:
- State supplied could or might not be free or lowered, the fees would be the similar as for a nationwide of that nation.
- Free or lowered healthcare might not be the identical issues which can be free on the NHS.
- Solely remedies deemed medically crucial qualify for canopy – if it may wait till you get again out of your journey, or you may have travelled with a purpose to get remedy then you definitely 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 a few of the the explanation why the .gov web site states:
“Your UK GHIC isn’t an alternative to journey insurance coverage. You need to take out personal journey insurance coverage earlier than your journey. [The GHIC] could 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 totally free – even for residents of that nation. Further expenses could also be added to a hospital invoice that we aren’t used to seeing within the UK, together with expenses for gear, provides, meals, medicines… and that may all add up.
GHICs additionally gained’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 coated.
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 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 unwell 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 12 months expiry date. Nonetheless, 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 acknowledged above, UK EHICS are additionally accessible to those that have been allowed particular entry underneath the withdrawal settlement.
GHICs are free – so get one!
There are just a few websites on the market which can be charging individuals a dealing with payment to get a GHIC, this isn’t crucial – GHICS can be found straight 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 main points you want till your card arrives, be sure 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 short lived certificates.
*The GHIC isn’t legitimate in Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican. It isn’t 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 unwell or being injured.
Get your journey insurance coverage quote on-line right this moment.
This text was initially printed in October 2022. The content material has been up to date.
