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Brits abroad at risk from out-of-date health cover

22/05/2008

According to research, half of Brits do not realise their European Health Insurance Card – which entitles them to free health care in the EU – has an expiry date.

As three million European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are set to run out between September 2008 and March 2009, this means over a million of us could be at risk this summer of being caught out without the right documents, the Department of Health has warned.

The EHIC, which replaced the E111 form, entitles you to reduced cost or free healthcare in most European countries if you fall ill or have an accident whilst abroad - but only if it is in date. A total of 28 million Britons currently have an EHIC, the department said.

Although the card will cover medical assistance while traveling in the EU, holidaymakers still need to ensure they have the right insurance.

The government said 2.4 million have admitted to needing medical assistance overseas and not having adequate cover.

Dr Hilary Jones, GMTV's resident GP says: "I'm concerned that so many holidaymakers have no idea that their EHIC will expire.

"If you're travelling in Europe it's vital that you carry an EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance. If you become ill or get injured on holiday, the last thing you want to be thinking about is paying unnecessary medical bills, which could cost thousands."

Health cover is not the only expiry date Brits have trouble with, however. The poll of more than 2,000 adults also found that 20 per cent of Brits do not know when their passport expires – and 1.2 million have missed out on a holiday because their passport was out of date.