European Health Insurance Card Expired - Renew For Basic Healthcare
If you are a citizen or resident of the European Union (EU), you are eligible to receive state-provided healthcare in any of the other countries in the EU, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, as long as you have a European Health Insurance Card(EHIC). But what takes place after the European Health Insurance Card expired?
When it comes to the health coverage that the state provides, having an EHIC subject you to the same requirements as citizens of an EU country. There will be times when this entitles you to free medical care.
After the United Kingdom left the European Union, it began issuing its own EHIC card, known as the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This card, much like its predecessor, grants citizens of the United Kingdom access to the national healthcare system wherever they travel within the European Union.
It is not possible to use either the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the European Health Insurance Card (GHIC) in order to pay for pre-arranged medical treatment within the EU.
Who Can Use The European Health Insurance Card?
The EHIC can be used if:
- You live in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland and are signed up for public health insurance.
- You live legally in an EU state and are signed up for public health care. If you are going to Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland, you cannot use an EHIC.
- You are going somewhere for a short time, such as for vacation, to see family, etc.
Remember that every member of your family needs their own EHIC. Your spouse and children cannot use your card.
When Does An European Health Insurance Card Expire?
Your European Health Insurance Card will be valid for anywhere from a few months to five years, depending on the nation that provided it. Nevertheless, the EHIC can often be used for anywhere between one and five years after it has been issued.
After you have received the card, you will be able to determine when it will expire because the expiration date is typically printed on the card itself. A large number of nations, including Austria and Bulgaria, provide EHICs for retirees that are valid for a longer period of time.
What To Do When European Health Insurance Card Expired?
Get A Temporary Card
- Before you travel- In the event that you have an immediate requirement for an EHIC, you can submit a request for a Temporary Replacement Certificate in person at your community health department.
- When you are away- Your treating hospital has the ability to apply for a temporary EHIC on your behalf if your card expires while you are traveling outside of the country.
If a Temporary Replacement Certificate cannot be arranged for you, it is possible that you will be required to pay for medical treatment while traveling internationally. You may submit your request for a refund by email.
If you live in Dublin, Wicklow, or Kildare, the sole email address that should be used to transmit your receipts is overseas.medservices@hse.ie. Send any receipts you have to the email address E126.Refunds@hse.ie if you live in a county other than Dublin. They have promised to come back to you with more information regarding the refund process.
How To Renew A European Health Insurance Card?
You will need to get in touch with the relevant health authorities in your home country if you want to renew your EHIC, which is essentially the same process as when you first applied for the card. You have the option of doing it in person, online, or through the mail.
If you have not had to update any of your information since the last time you renewed your card, the process should be much more streamlined and straightforward.
It is possible that you will be required to update your details before your subscription is renewed if you have recently relocated, gotten married, or experienced any other significant change in your personal information.
People Also Ask
How Long Does An EHIC Card Last?
It can last between 1 and 5 years. To renew your card, you will need to fill out an application, which you can do online. Always bring your EHIC with you when you go abroad. It won't pay for medical care outside of the EU, except in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, which are all part of the European Economic Area (EEA).
Is The EHIC Card Still Valid In 2022?
People from the UK who live in the UK can still use valid EHICs to get free or cheap medical care in EU countries and Switzerland. The NHS says that in 2022, 5.6 million EHICs will no longer be valid. Make sure yours is still good before you go away. If it's not, you'll usually need to apply for the GHIC.
Can I Renew My European Health Card Online?
If you have your old EHIC number and your PPS number, you can renew your EHIC online. Your address is still the same.
Conclusion
Even though both an EHIC or GHIC and travel insurance are used for health insurance, they are not the same thing and cannot be used in place of each other. For one thing, an EHIC only pays for public health care even if it is expired, so if you need to go to a private hospital, you would have to pay for the whole thing yourself.
On the other hand, travel health insurance pays for medical care in both public and private hospitals, as well as other losses related to the trip.