The EhIC card is an important document for people who are living in the UK. It is a health insurance card that allows you to receive state benefits, such as free or reduced-price prescriptions, and free or discounted hospital treatment. The EhIC card is also valid abroad so that you can receive state benefits while you are living in another country.
What is EhIC?
EhIC stands for the European Health Insurance Card. It is a card that allows you to access health care in the UK, regardless of whether you are a British citizen or resident. EhIC cards are issued to nationals of countries within the European Union and to their family members who are also nationals of those countries.
If you are not a British citizen or resident, but you need medical care in the UK, you may be able to get help from an EhIC card holder. You can also use an EhIC card to get medical care if you are visiting the UK for short-term purposes, such as a holiday or business trip.
If you have an EhIC card, you can use it to get emergency treatment in any hospital in the UK. You can also use it to get general medical care, including specialist treatment. You cannot use an EhIC card to pay for private health care.
You must tell your doctor or hospital about your EhIC card before you receive any treatment. If you do not have an EhIC card, or if it is lost, stolen or damaged, you can still get emergency treatment in the UK. However, you may have to pay for some of your treatment yourself.
How to apply for an EhIC card
Important Health Information about EhIC card for the UK
The EhIC card is a medical insurance card that provides coverage for certain health treatments in the UK. If you are eligible, you can apply for an EhIC card through your GP. The following are some important health information about the EhIC card:
-The EhIC card is currently available to people living in the UK who are aged 18 or over and have permanent residence in the UK.
-The EhIC card does not cover emergency treatment.
-You must have health insurance that covers at least £75,000 per year in claims, or have an EHIC card from another EU country to be eligible for an EhIC card.
-Your EhIC card will expire five years from the date it was granted, but you can renew it before it expires.
-If you have an illness that is not covered by your health insurance, you may be able to claim money from your EhIC fund for treatment costs.
-If you need to travel overseas for medical treatment, you should check if your health insurance covers any of the treatments that you may need.
Health conditions that may require an EhIC card
If you have a health condition that may require an EhIC card, please visit the NHS Choices website for more information. Conditions that may require an EhIC card include: diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, severe mental illness, and stroke. You can also find out more about the conditions on the NHS Choices website by using the search bar on the top of the page.
How to use an EhIC card
If you are an EU/EEA citizen, or have a valid residence permit in the UK, then you can use your EhIC card to get health care in the UK. To use your EhIC card, follow these steps:
- Go to the website of the NHS in your region and sign in.
- Click on ‘MyEhIC’ on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. On the MyEhIC page, click on ‘Add a new patient’.
4. Enter your full name, date of birth and citizenship (or residency) details. If you are not an EU/EEA citizen or have a residence permit in the UK, you will need to provide evidence that you are eligible to use your EhIC card. This might include a copy of your passport or ID card, or a letter from your doctor confirming that you are eligible for treatment in the UK.
5. Click ‘Submit’.
6. Your EhIC card will be created and displayed on this page. You can now use it to access NHS services anywhere in England, Scotland and Wales.
What to do if you lose your EhIC card
If you lose your EhIC card, you should contact the NHS so that your healthcare is available to you. You can also contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you lose your card.
Conclusion
If you are an NHS patient in the UK, then you will be required to have an EhIC card before you can receive any treatment. The EhIC card is a medical insurance policy that provides cover for treatments and services that would not normally be covered by your normal health insurance. This includes things like dental care, physiotherapy, chiropractic care and many other specialist treatments. You can find out more about getting an EhIC card and what it covers on the NHS website.