Reading between the lines I sometimes get the impression that some people think the EHIC card negates the need for travel insurance with the EU, Norway, Switzerland and some other counties. It most certainly does not as it only covers emergency treatment although some treatments like dialysis can be pre arranged. If you say need helicoptering off a ski slope or repatriation (alive or dead) to the UK it will not be covered. So you must ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance.
Currently the EHIC scheme will run to the end of December 2020. Beyond that I do not think the signs are promising.
Written by
MichaelJH
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I seem to recall reading that also. There have been several news pieces about un or under-insured Britons who had to pay enormous sums to be repatriated or to get their newborn sprung from an American hospital after bad timing for a quick nip across to NYC meant the mum went into labour in the States. Health care in the USA is incredibly expensive - when I go over to visit family I make sure I've covered every possible insurance base, it takes me longer to read every single line of the coverage than it does to pack for the trip!
About £1500 for a helicopter rescue in Switzerland. For £50 you can become a sponsor and they will give you a ride down to the ambulance for free. The Austrian alpine club has a similar arrangement. In both cases you have to present yourself at the local casualty dept as the local GP's tend to have signs which say 'No Ehic'. You also have to be careful with height limits which tend to start at 2000 metres unless you pay extra.
A timely reminder as holiday season is approaching.
I will hold my hands up and say I went on a cruise with no insurance. I became very unwell thankfully we were in port, Venice to be precise.
Was treated on board, £700 bill, free hosp stay and treatment in a state hosp, no towels or drinks provided, add on cost of hotel stay,flight home, train from airport and getting luggage from Southampton was a fortune.
More than the cost of insurance!
Will never do that again no matter what cost the insurance is, tho this year am not cruising, insurance at 2.5/3 grand is way beyond me.
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