Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

I wondered if anyone required any medical interventions for heart conditions whilst on holiday abroad and if they used the GHIC card?

[CyclingTime]

Haven't used it but I have the card. Your travel insurance will cover most things but you may end up liable to pay for some items if you didn't have one so worth doubling up

[Hidden in reply to CyclingTime]

Thank you for the information.

[Buddy00]

my understanding is that the GHIC card gives you emergency cover. If you had a stay in hospital and required further treatment or even repatriation then you would need travel insurance.

[devonian186]

I found the GHIC to be of marginal use. You aren't travelling without specific Health insurance where you have declared all your conditions, are you?

[Hidden in reply to devonian186]

Not at the moment. I am just looking into all options and wondered what experiences people have had. Thank you.

[Lezzers]

I haven't used this card but I did use the EHIC card, once in Portugal & once in Spain. The first time in Portugal was due to a language issue, my husband was taken ill on a plane & the crew arranged for an ambulance to be waiting when we landed. Things became a bit chaotic as airport staff wasn't happy about us not going through security but the ambulance crew were arguing about it. Very stressful time, I couldn't understand anything that was being said, I was asked for my documents & I just handed everything I had over, I didn't realise they meant insurance documents but that was packed in the hold luggage anyway!! Because I'd shown them the card we were taken to the local 'public hospital' and the experience was absolutely awful. The 2nd time I used it was in Spain, I went to the local Dr for earache. The place was filthy with broken bus stop type seats in the waiting room. I was there about 5hrs waiting to be seen, the place was packed & people were actually opening the dr's office door whilst he was with patients, presumably to ask how long he was gonna be, lots of arguing/shouting going on!! The first occasion cost about e35 for the ambulance & some blood tests (that was just over 10 year's ago) The 2nd time didn't cost me anything BUT neither experiences are something I'd want to try again!! Definitely don't rely on the card always take out travel insurance & even if treatment is within your policy excess limit (such as earache would be) I would still only use a private hospital/Dr!

[Travel13 in reply to Lezzers]

My travel insurance said I had to get a card to travel .

[Lezzers in reply to Travel13]

I've not heard that it's compulsory to have the card to travel? Some insurers have been offering a discount or lower excess for having the card but it's usually voluntary. If the insurer is insisting you have the card I would be asking why & what will they be covering in the event of a claim? And perhaps find one that doesn't insist on it.

[Hidden in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you for your great advice.

[Hidden in reply to Travel13]

Thank you for your reply Travel 13

[Hidden in reply to Lezzers]

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences with me and other readers. I hope that your husband had a good recovery. WOW! What experiences you had!

[MelB51]

I used my card in France to attend the hospital in Beziers and it was fine. I had to pay something but they said I could claim it back in the UK. I tried but did’t pursue it as it wasn’t much. I think where you are is important as France has great health care anyway, even at a ‘basic’ level. The card is supposed to entitle you to care just as the pre-Brexit card did as far as I am aware although hospital stays may be different and require a hefty payment!

[Hidden in reply to MelB51]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with myself and other readers. Your post is very helpful to me. Thank you.

[medicinal1]

gov.uk/global-health-insura...

Reading this my perception is that you ‘may’ receive State health care at a reduced cost or with no cost.

So let’s consider the example cost to be assessed if you fell & injured your wrist & you self transport to a local Clinic

(similar to a Minor Injuries unit) in the UK

Taxi ride €20

X-Ray €50

Assessment €150

Confirmed fracture? Yes

Treatment - plaster cast or wrist support & sling + Analgesia €350

Aftercare including prescription = €100

So that’s €670 - some would agree that’s not too bad 👍🏼

However - you can’t fly back with a limb in plaster, so you then need a fit to fly certificate - or you have to extend your stay & rearrange your flight.

Let’s also say in the fall you also hit your head, so now you need an overnight stay in the hospital & a CT head scan ( just to be safe) ….now things are gonna get really costly.

…..and that’s if your fracture was simple & didn’t require an operation to set it or pin it.

The bottom line is the global or EHIC cards are helpful, but are not a get out of jail free card.

They are very dependant on location & the word ‘state’ means it could be very very basic, minimal or non-existent care (highly unlikely to be a plush clinic)

Also consider the wording … ‘may’ suggests you can’t rely on how the costs will be structured.

An X-ray may need a radiographer & a radiologist….your insurance company have professionals who can argue if that was ‘clinically required’ …& will reimburse or pay out depending on that.

A layman with a global health card or EHIC has no way of arguing the invoice produced by the clinic & in some cases they can involve the police if you try to leave the setting without fully settling the account.

Bottom line - it’s a nice addition to have but travelling without in-date full private travel insurance (kept in your hand luggage) is a potentially very foolish move.

I have seen this exact situation happen, so think very carefully.

Happy travels ✈️

[Hidden in reply to medicinal1]

WOW! Thank you very much for such a highly detailed reply. That is very helpful. Thank you.