Any Irish resident who is planning to holiday in Europe this summer is advised to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
It entitles you to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there.
Your EHIC lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return.
It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth.
You don't need an EHIC to get necessary healthcare while on a temporary visit to the UK. It is enough to show proof that you are ordinarily resident in Ireland – in practice, this means a driving licence, passport or similar document.
The EHIC is entirely free of charge. However, other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them.
The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or being flown back to Ireland, or lost or stolen property.
Therefore, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy.
If you are insured here the likelihood is that it has cover for abroad also.
Some insurers now insist you hold an EHIC and many will waive the excess if you have one.
The card can be obtained by filling out the necessary form at your local HSE health centre. If you are unsure where this is, call 1850 241850.
It entitles you to get healthcare through the public system in countries of the European Union (EU) or Switzerland if you become ill or injured while on a temporary stay there.
Your EHIC lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return.
It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth.
You don't need an EHIC to get necessary healthcare while on a temporary visit to the UK. It is enough to show proof that you are ordinarily resident in Ireland – in practice, this means a driving licence, passport or similar document.
The EHIC is entirely free of charge. However, other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them.
The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or being flown back to Ireland, or lost or stolen property.
Therefore, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy.
If you are insured here the likelihood is that it has cover for abroad also.
Some insurers now insist you hold an EHIC and many will waive the excess if you have one.
The card can be obtained by filling out the necessary form at your local HSE health centre. If you are unsure where this is, call 1850 241850.
Irish Independent
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