EHIC cards
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49989227. I’m sure I’ve read something on CT about EHIC cards after Brexit but this news item could be worrying?
Comments
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It's not all worrying if you have bought proper travel insurance before you go overseas.
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We have recently returned from a 3 week trip to France carrying with us our 'foreign' purses/wallets - you know the ones with last holidays euros etc - complete with the EHIC cards. Read mine, it expired over 12 months ago and my wife's this month so I decided to renew Brexit or no. They both arrived after a few days. What was the point? Dunno...but they are there just in case.
Travel insurance, yes that comes 'free' with the bank account.
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I have used EHIC many times and its brilliant. Many so called "proper" travel insurers insist that you use EHIC and will only fund any costs over and above those covered by EHIC. The potential end of the EHIC card is an absolute disaster.
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We have only used it this once but when its gone we are all going to pay more for travel insurance
On the lunch time news an insurance company representative stated this would most certainly be the case, especially for those with pre existing medical conditions.☹️
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Saw that as well Steve. Looks as though people with more complicated conditions are going to find it increasing difficult to get reasonably priced insurance, particularly as supposed "free" insurance via banks is never free for older people and those with medical conditions.
David
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Strangely today in the Spanish media a statement was issued that if there was a no deal Brexit all Brits would lose their health care whether resident or tourist on 31st October, the Spanish government have passed into legislation a law to protect the rights of 360,000 Brits who are residents here but unfortunately Mr Johnson's government wont do the same for the Spaniards who live in the UK. This could become very costly for Brits who over winter here with travel insurance because these companies wont miss a trick like this to put up prices if that is all people have.
Phil
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One of us had an infected ulcerated throat - we went to French GP. One of us had an abscess on a tooth - we went to a French dentist. One of us tripped and fell and had blood streaming from a cut mouth - a French emergency doctor came to the hotel . We had prescriptions to collect from from French pharmacies on each occasion.
The EHIC was not the slightest use for any of these four events. They all wanted paying. But we have travel insurance and won't miss EHIC at all.
And as for our friend who had a medical emergency flight home after a car crash with a paramedic in attendance, I doubt if EHIC would have been any use to her too.
Get insurance.
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I would imagine most of us do get insurance. However, it is the presence of the EHIC that keeps insurance costs down, particularly for those with pre existing medical conditions. Just try getting cover for a non EHIC country and see the difference charged re no pre existing / existing conditions. Those differences will only become more with increasing age.
Don't know about yours, but a lot of insurances wave the excess if you have an EHIC, so it could save you that at least.😀
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You are right Steve, travel insurance gets dearer as one gets older.
But then I read on here of OAPs going to the NEC to pay £70,000 for a Motorhome so I think they can probably afford the travel insurance too.
My sympathy wears thin
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Fortunately for us it will have little affect. If we want to continue touring abroad we will pay it. Unfortunately not everyone is in that position. Particularly families with children with pre existing conditions, perhaps holidaying with tents (as we did) rather than expensive MH's.
Hopefully something can be worked out and the EHIC or something similar can continue.🤞
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While I agree with what you say the UK government have only verbally said they will respect EU citizens rights where as the Spanish have put their legislation into law already, I think this is down to whether they trust the UK government which they don't and they do have form.
Phil
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