GHIC
I realised the other day that our EHIC cards expired during December. Worth checking if you’ve not looked at them for a while. Although we are not going abroad until later in the year, I thought I might as well sort a couple of the replacement GHIC version in case they took a while to come. Completed the online application on the 5th January and the cards came today. If only everything else NHS related could be sorted as fast.
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Evenin
We ordered our GHIC cards in September '21 after virus and work commitments allowed us to travel. They too arrived in 4 days back then.
JK
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This is very true, but be careful what you wish for, GHIC/EHIC terms and conditions vary from country to country, having just experienced a medical emergency in Spain, I have to say the Spanish medical system is excellent, however, when the paramedics arrived to pick up my wife the first think they ask for is EHIC/GHIC, passport or proof of full travel insurance, the paramedics were a little vague as to what would happen if you did not have some sort of medical cover, also the EHIC/GHIC does not cover any form of repatriation, so if the person being treated is unable to use public transport etc to return home EHIC/GHIC does not cover this. My wife had to be repatriated using an air ambulance, fortunately we had fully comprehensive insurance, the cost was in excess of £50k.
I should add that Spanish hospitals are full as in the UK, so they were very keen to move my wife out asap, or they would have to move her to a private facility in Spain, which of course your GHIC/EHIC is unlikely to cover.
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Geez, the last time this was discussed the cost was £10k+. That’s good to know Rufs👍🏻. Another point is-ensure the wording is clear on the insurance doc. That level of cover ain’t cheap unless it has inbuilt wriggle room for the insurer🤷🏻♂️
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I did some quick calculations if you were to do it yourself the cost of a jet would be in the region ofr £20k, we needed 2 pilots, this is standard, 1 doctor, 1 nurse, private ambulance in Spain and again in the UK, some of these costs are dependant upon the severity and needs of the patients injuries etc. For years, when we were younger, we just used to wing it and not bother with travel insurance, thank goodnes we became a little wiser in our dotage.
P.S if you take out this type of insurance, be sure to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the insurance companies do reserve the right to view your medical record, if they find anything you have not declared that might be relevant to your claim , they will not pay out.
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To be fair to the NHS they do make it very clear on the application website, that you also need health insurance.
Your EHIC or GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. Make sure you have travel insurance as well as your card.
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This is very true, but be careful what you wish for, GHIC/EHIC terms and conditions vary from country to country,
You can find out what is covered in each country by visiting >this web site<
peedee
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Many years ago and of course systems change. In France son had to have a broken elbow set which necessitated an overnight stay in hospital. We had EHIC cards and red pennant. We didn’t have to pay at the time for anything, we did ask. We were sent a bill later after our return home, we contacted red pennant and they dealt with it from then on.
We haven’t been abroad with a van for some years and I am aware red pennant has increased in price. We always took it out when abroad before and have had need to use it on a few occasions over many years. Always helpful and supportive. Much as I think there is much wrong with the club at present, if we were to go abroad again I would not hesitate to use red pennant again.
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I’m with you 100%👍🏻. Badly hurt people need a bunch of medics whilst they are repatriated too depending on the damage to the person.
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What latest news is that brue, I'm not aware of anything from my bank re insurance changes.
We are with Nationwide, I know there is a 30 limit on any one trip but you can buy an add on at a cost which we do.
The only time we have had to use overseas medical help was in Spain, the paramedics didn't ask for the ehic but it was the first thing the hospital asked for along with passport. We informed our insurance while in the hospital, a very helpful person took down the details and said to let him know if we needed help. As it happens we didn't, all was sorted by the hospital. Later that day we received a call from the insurance company to check that all was ok.
Our eldest son had to be repatriated home from Germany once after braking his back skiing. It didn't cost us a penny, the excellent RAF took care of everything 😊
I wouldn't dream of going away without good cover.
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I was glad I had good medical insurance when they wheeled me into hospital in India. Public healthcare is free there for local residents, but this wasn’t public health care. This was a European tourist therefore it was private health care.
This was go straight past the queue, see a doctor at once, and be moved into a private room not a busy ward. And all because I ate the hotel buffet which was breeding bacteria under hot lights for too long - and suffered for it.
So it was saline drip, antibiotic drip, 24 hours of one to one nursing care, private room fee, doctor’s fee, treatment fee, medication fee, traditional doctor’s ward round next day, and a bag of medication to take away - and a bill. I think it was a total of £74 and as the insurance only kicked in above £100 I paid it all.
A great country to travel - but stick to freshly cooked vegetarian food.
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Thanks brue, didn't see it. The 30 day rule will catch folk out if they don't read the T&Cs
Its the same with some car insurance policies only allowing 30 days in Europe at anyone time or some a maximum of 30 days a year. Always best to check these things.
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