Latest Update on EHIC Health Cards

As hopefully most of you already know, there are some planned changes due to take effect next year as regards the issuing of EHIC Health cards for those people who are British Nationals resident in Spain and pensioners registered for their normal health care in Spain under an E121 from Newcastle.
We have already covered the details in a previous issue of CoastRider but for those who might have missed it the main points are as follows.
The changes only apply to those people who are retired, resident in Spain and receive their normal health care under the public healthcare system and have registered with an E121. Next year such people, who up to now would have got their EHIC health cards here in Spain for emergency health cover while travelling in other EU countries, will have to apply to the UK. This is a European Union change in procedure and will affect other nationalities not just the British.
That is why those pensioners who are going to renew their EHIC cards now will be receiving a new card but one that is only valid to the end of February next year and not for a complete year as has been normal up to now.

The new arrangements were due to start from March the 1st 2010 and as we have previously mentioned it is not known yet what the new procedure will be for UK national pensioners resident here in Spain to apply for those cards.
The department of Health in the UK has indicated they will publish the new arrangements as soon as they have them and well before the date for the changeover.
However we have been informed via the Pension, Benefit & Healthcare Team in the British Consulate at Alicante that the date for the new procedure to come into operation has now been changed from March 1st 2010 to May 1st 2010 and the advice is for those who have received new cards valid to the end of February next year and are planning to travel during March and April next year to seek advice from the Spanish INMS where the card was issued, for an extension to its validity to the end of April 2010.
It is worth repeating that there are no changes to the heath care provision for pensioners, registered here in Spain with an E121 while they are resident in the country.
Also those who are paying into the Social system here in Spain through work or private contributions will receive their EHIC as they do currently, that is from the Spanish authorities.
We look forward to hearing what the new arrangements will be and will obviously publish them as soon as we have them.
EHIC Medical Cover Abroad
• According to new information announced by the British Government if you are a UK State pensioner and are resident in Spain then you probably access free healthcare through the form E121 issued by the Department for Work and Pensions.
• Currently, if you travel back to the UK or to any other EU member state then you need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by the Spanish Social Security Latest update on EHIC Health Cards
Authorities (INSS) to access free necessary healthcare during your visit.
• This is set to change next year when the UK will become responsible for issuing the EHIC to UK pensioners resident in other EU countries.
• The UK is finalising its processes for the implementation of the new regulations. When these processes have been finalised, the British Embassy will be contacting everyone concerned in all member states.
• These changes will not affect your basic right to healthcare. The EHIC will cover you for necessary treatment during a temporary stay in a different member state to the one you live in. The UK European Health Insurance Card is valid for holidaymakers and temporary visitors who need to use the state health system while in another EU country.
If you are not normally a resident of the UK and spend less than six months of the year there, the Spanish authorities may decide to treat you as a private patient.
• If you are a resident in the UK, you should apply for your EHIC before travelling to other European Union Member States. A UK EHIC is usually valid for three to five years – but if you stop being a UK resident, you need to return your EHIC to the Department of Health immediately.
In Spain, the EHIC covers:
• all medical care that becomes necessary during a temporary stay;
• oxygen and dialysis treatment, as well as treatment for chronic diseases or a pre-existing illness. You should inform healthcare authorities at your destination in Spain before you travel, to ensure that supplies are available;
• routine maternity care;
• 60 per cent off prescriptions, and free prescriptions for pensioners. Please note that you may need to prove your pensioner status to get free prescriptions.
The EHIC does not cover you:
• if getting treatment is the main purpose of your trip. In this case you need to get permission from your UK local healthcare trust who will issue you with form E112;
• for long term, routine or planned treatment;
• for private sector healthcare providers. You must use the State Health System;
• if you are a resident in Spain. If you live here, check with the Department for Work and Pensions whether you have any entitlement to free healthcare in Spain.
You can apply for your EHIC, free of charge, through the Department of Health online, by phone: 0845 606 2030 or +44 191 203 5555 if outside the UK or by post: EHIC Applications, PO Box 1115, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE99 1SW
Dependants cannot be included on an EHIC, so each family member needs to apply for their own card.
For further information visit:http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/pensions-benefits/healthcare/ehic/

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