"Nothing personal, it's just business."
Otto Biederman
I do apologize for the off topic, but I feel obliged to share a surprise change of the EHIC card rules that was introduced without a lot of announcement in the news (I usually watch BBC Breakfast and Evening news and I do not remember such thing announced/discussed).
The new rules are explained here: NHS web site. The essence is:
- If you visit another EEA country where that country requires its own citizens to pay a patient contribution, you will also need to pay for this.
- You will no longer be able to claim reimbursement for this payment when you return to the UK for treatment received after July 1 2014.
- Your EHIC still entitles you to receive medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, and you will be treated on the same basis as a resident of the country you are visiting.
In the past, if your EHIC card was issued in the UK, you would expect reimbursement of your expenses paid for standard (state) medical treatment received in an EEA country. After July 1 2014 you need to pay yourself for everything that a citizen of this country has to pay.
I visited Bulgaria and I broke my leg by accident. I was admitted into a hospital and I received a good treatment - no complaints. My EHIC card was accepted without problems and the main expenses (non-planned surgery operation at the same night) were covered.
But I had to pay for "expensive materials" - metal planks to join the broken bones (no other choice according to the doctor) - relatively expensive - and for each night spent at the hospital (very small amount).
At the hospital nobody knew the exact rules and I was advised to translate all invoices for the additional expenses and other related documents (in Bulgaria they are in Bulgarian language) in order to claim them in the UK. Save your money - translate just the Epicrisis and the Incapacity of work certificate...
How to avoid paying from your pocket:
Buy travel insurance
An additional income for the insurance companies, but as a result you would be able to claim your expenses.
Just business, nothing personal...
