Over 28,000 cards were issued this year, 14 per cent of them in the month between 15 July and 14 August. This means that nearly 40 per cent of the population holds a European Health Insurance Card, which entitles people visiting all EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, to medical emergency treatment as if covered by the respective country’s social security services.
Those going abroad on short visits such as a holiday, business trip or training may benefit from EHIC when presenting it at public hospitals or clinics. In European countries where health services are given at a charge, EHIC holders would be able to benefit from discounted fees and are treated as citizens of the respective country.
The Maltese government will then pay fees for emergency services incurred by local citizens abroad. To date, it has received payment requests for treatment amounting to e400,000 since 2004.
The EHIC has a common format across all European countries thus, it is easily recognised. The card must be presented as soon as a person seeks emergency medical assistance to ensure that treatment is given at a public hospital or clinic and not at a private clinic.
If a person suffering from heart problems gets a heart attack while on holiday abroad, full benefit of the card is allowed. Similarly, if someone on a skiing holiday fractures an arm, free or discounted medical treatment is given, depending on the country’s health policy. Meanwhile, the card cannot be used when members of the public seek medical advice or treatment abroad.
Those going abroad are still advised to have a travel insurance policy since not all countries give medical treatment for free and because EHIC cannot be used in private clinics and hospitals.
Applications for EHIC may be made online on: www.ehealth.gov.mt, by means of the e-ID or downloaded from: www.sahha.gov.mt, and sent to Entitlement Unit, 23, St John Street, Valletta, VLT 1168. Applications may also be collected from local councils and the Entitlement Unit.
To ensure processing in time, applications should reach the Entitlement Unit at least 15 days prior to departure date.
Practical Tips
- EHIC should be presented as soon as a patient seeks medical assistance
- Card must be kept on person at all times
- When possible patients should ask whether the hospital in question is public and accepts EHIC.
- If card is not accepted at a state hospital, all receipts must be kept and presented together with a report to the Entitlement Unit on return
- If card gets left behind, charges may be claimed from Entitlement Unit on presentation of receipts and a detailed report
- An individual card is needed for each person travelling
- Having a travel insurance policy is still advisable
- Long stays abroad are not covered by EHIC
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Annaliza Borg
Quelle/Source: The Malta Independent Online, 27.08.2008
