General Chat

I have just tried to renew our European Health Insurance cards online and they are asking for £19.99 . I cant remember paying for the cards nearly 5 years ago.

Can anyone advise me please :-)

It is still free:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/free-ehic-card#how
Watch out for websites demanding a fee for the EHIC. Search on the internet for "EHIC" and you’ll find sites that describe themselves as "reviewing" or "forwarding" services, charging about £15-£20 (sometimes more) to process your application. They often look official, but scroll to the bottom and you’ll find a tick box asking for cash.

One unofficial site takes a "processing fee of just £14.99", and another states "EHIC fee only £19.99". Some even claim to provide a "fast-track" service for an extra fee. Yet there's no such thing as an EHIC fast-track application, so don't get caught out.

ALWAYS use the official site, www.ehic.org.uk, to get yours for free.


http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

Thanks very much Joy. Just had a look at the site.

What a con. £19.99 saved then. I knew I didn't pay last time

:-D :-D

:-)

Don't rely on your new card for your total cover though will you Barb?

A friend went on holiday in Europe recently and suddenly ended up in hospital over Easter for more than a week.
Thankfully they had good insurance company,who arranged a hotel nearer the hospital for her husband, hospital cover and sent a doctor out from UK to fly home with them.

Costs can soon mount up if you are not adequately insured.

Gwyn

Hi Gwyn

No I always take out full cover with meds info etc given. Takes all the worry away doesn't it. Costs quite a bit but hey ho, gotta have it :-D

There is always somebody ready to scam money out of us isn't there? Horrible people.

Well done for not falling for it Barb, but as Gwyn says don't rely on it entirely.

Good advice Gwyn,
There are a good many people who don't realise that EHI covers medical attention only.

Yes Ann I have just read some reviews on the site Joy gave me, from people who have been scammed.
I dont buy much online as I am always a bit wary. Bit of a thicko when it comes to it all.
Luckily my D in Law helps me out at times.

I got caught - doh - paid for a new card :-( :-(

Oh Ann don't it make you mad. I went to fetch my purse for my bank card then thought , hang on, etc.
When I told OH the cost he said, Don't bl**dy bother. I am glad I asked now :-D

Also from the same Martin Lewis money saving tips programme, you need to have your EHI card with you all thr time. It's no good leaving it at your hotel

....Just reminded me - I need to renew mine!!!

Friend said that their passports were needed too.
Luckily she could remember her number ( I wouldn't know mine ! ) so perhaps it would be an idea to have a photo-copy of the personal information page so that this could be carried to beaches etc. rather than full passport.

Gwyn

Good idea Gwyn, thanks for that

I carry a scaled down copy of my passport with me all the time. The photo page.

I have just renewed mine after hearing the Money Programme .
I googled and started to fill in the form and saw it was £19.99 so cancelled ,went back to google search and further down was the free N.hS.one

Filled in that form .it was accepted and will be sent in the next 10 days.
It was only NI no that was needed not passport for renewing.
Hope you get it sorted Barbs.

Can I also warn anyone going to Greece or Greek Islands that it is now common practice for them to charge you for attention despite the card and you have to claimn it back when you get home.

I went to a Medical centre as I felt a bit unwell, Doc there examined me and said I had gastroenteritis, I didn't feel that bad but bought the antibiotics he prescribed which cost 8 euros. Later there was a call to the apartment reception which they passed to me, saying I had to call in and pay the fees. I went back and said I actually felt fine and hadn't taken the antibs, and think I was misdiagnosed. I was still charged 60 euros (knocked down from 80) and had to pay and then claim back when I got home. It took several weeks for the money to go back in my account. When I claimed over the phone initially the man told me it is happening more and more now, the countries can't afford to wait for Britain to pay the claims so make us pay first so they get their money quicker.

Forewarned is forearmed!

I saw the tv prog that warned against paying for the card, but mine is still valid for the while, luckily..

Lizx

Re photocopies of passports.

While we are in transit, we carry a copy of the other's PP, just in case it gets nicked or lost. it hasn't happened yet, but you never know!