If you are travelling anywhere in the EU and need sudden medical treatment having your EHIC or GHIC can be very reassuring.
The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) is available for free and provides card holders access to state healthcare service providers in all the EU nations. The GHIC has now substituted the EHIC.
What changes have been made to the EHIC?
Those UK nationals that qualified for the EHIC could get access to state healthcare anywhere in the EU. Since Brexit most of the UK nationals will not be issued new EHICs.
Now they can apply for its replacement the new GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card). Although, EU nationals that are currently residing in the UK would be eligible for a EHIC card. Likewise, UK nationals that are staying in the EU before the end of 2020 would be eligible for a UK EHIC as per the agreement between the EU and the UK.
The GHIC
Having the GHIC when on a visit to any EU country will assure you of gaining access to state run healthcare facilities in case of an emergency. It may be at a nominal cost same as the locals or even free in some nations.
Will I need to replace the EHIC with a GHIC?
Not in most cases where the cards have been issued before December 2020.
According to the EU agreement, they agreed that UK nationals can continue to use their current EHICs until they have expired.
Both the EHIC and the GHIC are valid for five years. The expiry date is on the front of the card.
Will my EHIC be valid to use after Brexit?
As stated, if the card has recently been issued it can be used without any worry in any EU country, until it expires. Brexit has not affected the status of valid EHICs.
What coverage do they offer?
Both GHIC and valid EHICs will provide access to emergency treatment at any EU state healthcare facility. This will cover sudden medical care, treatment of pre-existing conditions and oxygen therapy, chemotherapy and dialysis. Routine medical check-ups for pregnant women is also covered but they cannot travel specifically to give birth in a foreign nation. If the treatment is free for locals, it will be free for GHIC and EHIC holders, Likewise, if there is charge for the locals the cardholders will also have to pay a small sum.
Which treatments are not covered by the GHIC and EHIC?
For both of the cards to be valid for use the treatment must be termed as medically necessary by the hospital or doctors like an emergency. However, it only offers coverage for state healthcare facilities and not private doctors or hospitals. It also will not cover rescue costs in case of an accident or medical repatriation to the UK.
Another point to note is that stat healthcare differs from country to country. While it maybe free in some countries, in others there may be a nominal cost to be borne by the individual. Many things that are free with the NHS are not covered in EU countries.
Which countries will I be able to use my GHIC?
Both the GHIC and EHIC will offer healthcare access in EU countries with some exceptions. The GHIC is more limited in scope.
While the EHIC used to offer coverage in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, the GHIC does not provide any cover.
UK nationals visiting Norway can use their British passports for emergency medical healthcare and for pre-existing illnesses.
Similarly, the UK government has entered into a reciprocal agreement with countries outside of the EU like Australia and New Zealand where UK nationals can get emergency medical treatment. However, this does not apply to any pre-existing illnesses.
