Hi all,
There has been a lot of talk recently about 'Unofficial' websites that appear if you 'Google' N.H.S. European Health Insurance Renewal. I did that, and saw a warning on a 'money matters' website that unofficial sites can charge you up to £25. They act as agents for you, but if you go to the 'official' site, the application on line is simple, and takes just a few minutes, and is free.
I found that the government is doing nothing to prevent this, in fact it's very difficult to spot the 'genuine' official site from the rest!
I recently discovered mine ran out on 1st October 2014. In May, there was a backlog of 3 months but it's now back to 10 days for a typical application. I applied Monday and got mine back today, Saturday, completely free, no problems. You can apply for a new card if you have less than 6 months left on your old one.
The site you need is:-
www.nhs.uk/ehic
Or by phone:- 03300 330 1350
All systems go! Roll on September 26th.
Martin.
I didn't think that the EHIC card applied in Greece but I may be wrong :)
Mary luvver, in Arillas itself you only have private care, but not far away there is a medical facility in Avliotes (?) where EHIC is accepted. I don't know, because touch wood I have never needed it, but others have posted on this before.
Well worth them posting again to inform our forum of just what is the position on medical treatment.
Phil
Hi all we could not use the card in sidari but where told we could use it at the main hospital as all medical centres where private. So we use our medical insurance. Hope this helps
I used mine in Koufonissia a few years ago. I think there are private and equivalent to NHS doctors in Greece. If you visit a "NHS" doctor you can use your EHIC but if you visit a private doctor, like Dr Yiannis, you have to pay.
My infamous dog bite in 2009, about which there are many posts on forum, I paid Yanni 100 euros which included the tetanus injection, stitches and much after treatment.
I claimed on my travel insurance and because I could say I offered my EHIC they waived the excess and paid in full. As it worked out I was a few euros in profit on the cost because of the exchange rates. Not that I recommend getting bitten by a dog to make a profit - it was probably 5 euros, and my left hand still doesn't work like it did before, after all these years.
Having an up to date EHIC is still very important, and as Martin says, you can get rooked by the "agents." It is FREE, and takes very little time to renew. It saved us money as above, and be careful. Use the official government site. As soon as you are in doubt just leave it for another think. Ask us on our forum, but don't sign up to the scammers.
Phil
Thanks all for your input.
The accompanying letter with the card states,
"The EHIC does not replace travel insurance, it may not cover all health costs and NEVER covers repatriation costs. The EHIC entitles you to reduced cost(or sometimes free) health care where treatment becomes necessary during a TEMPORARY visit to all other countries of the European Economic Area or Switzerland. The card is only valid for treatment offered under the STATE healthcare schemes operating in these countries. It gives you access to treatment under the same terms as people who live in the country you are visiting, which may mean you need to pay a contribution towards the cost of your treatment in the country you are visiting. You will not be able to claim a reimbursement for this contribution for treatment after 1 July 2014."
"Further information, including a full list of countries covered along with details of their 'health systems' can be found online at www.nhs.uk/ehic We strongly advise that you take this information with you when you travel, as it also tells you what to do if treatment does become necessary during your trip."
As Dai states, 'NHS' equivalent services only, will do some 'digging' on the site to see where/what is listed for Corfu. Think the main hospital Corfu Town is listed.
Interesting, and why doesn't the government do something to prevent these 'service provider' agencies making a profit out of the general public? They are aware, as they state on the letter when it's too late and you have 'fallen into the trap'.... "Renew your EHIC for free at www.nhs.uk/ehic or by phone 0300 330 1350 Unofficial websites may charge if you apply through them."
Martin.
Thanks Phil and Martin that's clarified that for me. The reason I didn't think it was valid because a few years ago while staying in San stefanos I had a bad reaction to a mosquito bite and had to visit the doctors every day for antibiotic injections and when I offerred my ehic card they said it didn't cover it. Luckily my travel insurance did and I only paid a small excess . :)
Hi all,
I think that your experience Mary is similar to us all. I just thought I would look into the subject more.
The website is not the most helpful, even under 'specific countries', very vague.
Viz:-
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In case you find yourself in an emergency during your stay in Greece, dial 166. You might want to save the number in your phone.
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will enable you to access state provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed in order 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 provided the reason for your visit is not specifically to give birth.
How to claim refunds
Keep the self-adhesive labels from the medicines packages that belong to your prescription. Refunds need to be claimed through the IKA-ETAM office that covers the region your are staying during your visit. You must apply for any refund within the time limit specified by your IKE-ETAM doctor.
The Greek social security institute (IKA-ETAM) will be able to provide information.
IKA-ETAM
Odos Agiou Konstantinou 8
Athens
Greece
Telephone: 0030 21 5200 555 -64 or -184
Information is also available online from IKA-ETAM's website. Here you can find contact details of IKA-ETAM's local offices that cover all Greek regions.
'Doctors and dentists
You should try to consult an IKA –ETAM doctor or dentist in order to receive treatment for free or at a reduced cost. However, ensure you present your EHIC on the day.
You may also consult a private doctor or dentist but you will have to present your EHIC and pay all charges up front. You can then claim back the charges later from the Greek authorities. Remember to keep all your receipts.
A patient charge of 25% of national tariff provision is due if you should require the provision for prosthesis, major appliances or other expensive treatments. This is non-refundable.
Hospital treatment
If you have been referred to a public hospital or clinic by an IKA-ETAM doctor, you must ask for a 'ticket', which is your proof of entitlement to healthcare within the scheme. However, if you do not have a 'ticket', you should show your EHIC on admission and ask the hospital administration to contact the IKA office.
Prescriptions
Medicines prescribed by an IKA-ETAM doctor are dispensable by any pharmacy. You will be charged a 25% patient charge. Charges may vary depending on the prescription. This is non-refundable.
Ambulance
Emergency ambulance services are generally free, however, you might be asked to pay a small contribution for routine transport. This is non-refundable.
Air ambulance
In an emergency an air ambulance can be provided free of charge through EKAV (the National Centre of Immediate Assistance) helicopters.
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Well, there we are folks, in a nutshell, tried to dowload the document from the IKA-ETAM, but the English version will not open on my iMac, no reason given.
Hope all this is helpful,
Martin.
'
Thanks for all the info, Martin. Hope we never have to follow its advice.
Yammas, Paul
Trouble is, in an emergency and on calling an ambulance in Spain some years ago for my father, the ambulance driver asked my mum if she had medical insurance and she said yes and they took her to a private hospital. My Mum had her EHIC card with her of course but my dad required urgent surgery within 2 hours for a strangulated bowel and ended up in intensive care. Then ensued the battle with the insurance company as they said he wasn't covered as he had had bowel cancer 6 years previously and cancer was excluded from his policy. It was a terrible time for us and in future I'm not sure in an emergency whether I would opt for going privately or ask to be taken to a public hospital.
Trouble is - insurance companies always do their best to NOT pay out and a long wrangle ensued but I took them to the insurance ombudsman and after 2 years and a lot of paperwork we won our money back with interest but it was a valuable lesson learned. And of course always declare anything you have had to the insurance company and make sure you pay extra to cover anything rather than exclude it. When I looked at my parents policy, because my dad had high blood pressure, they had excluded everything relating to high blood pressure. As I pointed out to them, all the policy was good for was a broken leg, not a heart attack, stroke etc. etc.
Just wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else.
This is an oft repeated scenario, as an insurance company will always try to riddle out of paying up. Always declare EVERYTHING and be aware that if you have insurance offered as an extra with your bank account it's usually a very basic policy.
If you have had any sort of ailment in the past...... as daisyday says they will try and link your claim to it.
So bite the bullet and cover everything, pay what they ask and avoid a legal fight......but remember first to do plenty of searches for the most economical policy for your needs.
There are a lot of insurance companies out there and the dearest is not always the best.
Val x
Such good, experienced advice. So far I find only my hay-fever a problem in Arillas. And this week, after many months, even years of resisting it I have a prescription for antihistamines. The transformation is amazing.
I have no diagnosis of anything that would affect insurance but not complacent. I am nearly 62, and lots can go wrong from here on in. Don't accept insurance that excludes known conditions. If you have it, you need the cover. It costs, but so be it. It will never be me, because I will simply die in Arillas, my spiritual home.
Phil