European Health Insurance Card / EHIC discussions

DWPinSpain · #1 (**permalink**) 31st August 2009, 06:32 AM

There are changes to the issuing of European Health Insurance Cards for UK State Pensioners living in Spain. Note that people's healthcare in Spain is not affected. The only change is for when UK state Pensioners registered on an E121 form need to travel from Spain to another EU Country. The changes are due to take effect from 1st May 2010.

Access to healthcare: UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Pesky Wesky · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd June 2010, 08:43 AM

Possible sticky???

Here's info on the EHIC which has changed since May 1st and seems to be causing confusion

From the NHS

Introduction

New EU regulations from May 1 2010

Accessing healthcare in Spain

Informative website called Treatment in Spain
Using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Spain

mrypg9 · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd June 2010, 09:21 AM

In brief, the EHIC entitles a person to reduced-cost (sometimes free), medical treatment that becomes necessary while in a European Economic Area (EEA) country (or Switzerland).

So...if you are insured under the Spanish state/regional system you use your EHIC if needing 'necessary' medical treatment when in the UK or elsewhere in the EU or EEA.
The only change is that your 'original' country of birth/citizenship now issues it.

That's how I see it....

steve_in_spain · #4 (**permalink**) 3rd June 2010, 08:28 PM

you are quite right, my partner who has severe disabilities receives healthcare in spain but has now been told he has to get his next EHIC from the UK. Called the UK and they said this is correct however they are waiting for paperwork from Spain before they can issue it and we could be waiting 3-4 months! Great!

mrypg9 · #5 (**permalink**) 4th June 2010, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_in_spain

you are quite right, my partner who has severe disabilities receives healthcare in spain but has now been told he has to get his next EHIC from the UK. Called the UK and they said this is correct however they are waiting for paperwork from Spain before they can issue it and we could be waiting 3-4 months! Great!

No need to worry, tho'. He'll get treatment if needed, probably have to fill in a few extra forms.
I was in Germany with a friend who broke her leg in three places (on her leg, I mean, not in different locations

) and obviously needed hospitalisation. She hadn't bothered with an EHIC but everything went smoothly, no bureaucratic problems.

Stravinsky · #6 (**permalink**) 8th June 2010, 10:19 AM

We received our EHIC application forms from the UK today from DWP Newcastle.

Hepa · #7 (**permalink**) 9th June 2010, 04:22 PM

I received mine some months ago, the DWP contacted me by letter, here in the Canaries

Stravinsky · #8 (**permalink**) 10th June 2010, 10:39 AM

I spoke to someone yesterday that did it on line and got them within a couple of weeks

almendros · #9 (**permalink**) 11th June 2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

I spoke to someone yesterday that did it on line and got them within a couple of weeks

I'm pretty sure you can only do it online if you are a UK resident (or claim to be). The online application specifically asks if you are UK resident.

If you are non UK resident you can only get them from Newcastle as they hold the records of who has been issued with an E121 and only those holders can get a UK EHIC if not UK resident.

Incidentally, the E121 no longer exists - it is now called an S1. All previously issued E121s are still valid.

#10 (**permalink**) 11th June 2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almendros

I'm pretty sure you can only do it online if you are a UK resident (or claim to be). The online application specifically asks if you are UK resident.

If you are non UK resident you can only get them from Newcastle as they hold the records of who has been issued with an E121 and only those holders can get a UK EHIC if not UK resident.

Incidentally, the E121 no longer exists - it is now called an S1. All previously issued E121s are still valid.

My hisband is my dependant but having not received the forms he phoned them and they admitted that he had been overlooked. The forms eventually arrived a week later, we filled them in and returned them on 21st April. Today we phoned again and they have no record of him at all (this was after being given 3 different numbers, all of which we phoned), they have now posted yet more forms. However they did tell us that in an emergency, as long as I had proof of my pension payment then he would be covered.