Uk Global Health Insurance Card.

[Atheist]

Has anyone heard of this? I need to visit France next year and my EHIC expires in May. I have heard of the UK Global..... but can't find it online.

[bhg481]

NJ - Yes, I suppose that option disappeared on 31/1/20. I hadn't thought too much about it because mine still has a couple of years to run.

[Atheist]

NJ and Karl. I guess Karl is probably right. But not sure. My EHIC was pickpocketed from me on the Paris metro in October and I was able to get a new one within a few days, although only valid until the original expiry date of May 2021. I'll give it a go.

[Atheist]

TTT, since you posted a non-silly response I'll reply.
Firstly, the 90% refund was given on the terms of the EHIC; I wasn't refused help in France, and the doctor didn't even want to check my EHIC.
Secondly, you may have had a bad experience (whenever that was) and that has obviously made you feel bitter about the whole thing. But I think you need to put that behind you and move on. Lingering bitterness is not good for you and you shouldn't let it prejudice you against the system, which in my experience worked very well.

[sandyRoe]

This proposed global health insurance card, can anybody smell the aroma of pie in the sky about it?

[ToraToraTora]

ok so if you got treated in a public hospital you'd not have to apply to the NHS they would do that. So it must have been a private hospital and the NHS would not refund to a private institution not in the scheme so I an sensing something smelly and bovine.

[Atheist]

TTT, no; you get treated under French terms, then apply for a refund back in the UK.

[ToraToraTora]

... in a private hospital?

[Prudie]

While you're all arguing I will add that the EHIC was never supposed to take the place of adequate travel insurance with medical cover although I think many thought it did and didn't bother with anything else. I never travelled without insurance and never will even with my EHIC.

[diddlydo]

TTT is always bitter and twisted about anything to do with Europe - best to ignore him.

[Atheist]

TTT, I've no idea about private hospitals. All I know is that the EHIC system served me well. All you know is that it didn't serve you well. To be honest I'm more interested in my experience that yours. We'd best leave it there.
Thanks for being less silly in your last few posts.

[KARL]

sandyRoe, Both nostrils full.

[webbo3]

Arheist @ 16:01
\\Anyway, it's nice to see that EU citizens living over here will still be able to use the NHS. I think the French will also have a civilised view on how nations should co-operate.///

They can use the NHS but may have to pay if they haven't been here for at least 1 year.

[ToraToraTora]

just reporting my experience diddly, i suspect I have a lot more of that than you.

[Atheist]

Thanks, Webbo.

[webbo3]

This includes british expats, the nhs in the uk isn't contribution based, its residency based, so some retiree from who pops to the uk for a holiday may have to pay for their treqatmnet.

[Electrochem]

I can only speak of my experience of EHIC. I was in Croatia last year and woke up with severe dizziness and vomiting. Seen at an emergency centre (20 minute wait) and had check up, blood tests and infusion. Was told told return to our accommodation and lie in a darkened room. If no improvement to go to hospital. No Improvement, so off to hospital. Had CAT Scan, an injection and another infusion. CAT Scan clear and stroke ruled out. Diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis and given three prescriptions. Total cost with EHIC was under £25. Clearly our good friend TTT has far more experience than all of us put together.

[ToraToraTora]

ok so it's cheap in Croatia, how is that related to the effectiveness of the EHIC?

[Sqad]

Electrochem.

That is first class medical management with a reasonable diagnosis and I hesitate to say this with TTT lurking that one couldn't be guaranteed that standard of health care in the NHS.

[ToraToraTora]

...says the ex ex pat, professional knocker of the NHS who inexplicably found it necessary to move back into its sphere! wonder why that would be?

[Sqad]

LOL.