When we plan our summer holiday, we rarely think of what could go wrong. In reality, anything could happen to us when we are abroad.
One of the worst case scenarios is getting ill or suffering an injury while we are in a foreign country. Buying a travel insurance policy as soon as we book our holiday is a must to put our mind at rest.
Among other things, a travel insurance policy will cover us and provide reimbursement for non-refundable trip payments and deposits should we need to cancel our holiday or travel arrangements because of an illness or other unforeseen circumstance. Such a policy usually also provides reimbursement for any emergency expenses we incur if our luggage is delayed or lost.
Even lost or stolen items and money are usually covered by travel insurance. This also applies to emergency medical expenses that we might incur while abroad.
As European citizens, we may also be covered should we fall ill or suffer an injury while travelling in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland if we have our European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with us.
According to the latest figures published by the European Commission, around 185 million European citizens possess this insurance card. In Malta, around 146,500 cards have been issued by the Entitlement Unit at the Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care.
By having an EHIC we have access to healthcare services during temporary visits in one of the EU’s 27 member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
Travelling with this card entitles us to the same public sector healthcare services that citizens of the country we are visiting are entitled to. This includes emergency treatment, maternity care and treatment of a chronic disease or pre-existing illness, such as routine blood tests, injections, repeat prescriptions and check-ups.
Some countries offer free treatment but others ask the patient to pay a fee or a partial payment.
In the latter countries, EHIC holders will also have to pay the relative amount. In some cases we may be asked to pay the full costs first and claim a partial refund afterwards.
What EIHCs do not cover is planned treatment, unless previous authorisation is obtained.
This card is free. To be eligible to apply for it, one must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any European Economic Area country and Switzerland.
In Malta application forms may be collected from the Entitlement Unit at the Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care or from any local council.
Once duly filled, application forms should be returned to the head of Entitlement Unit, Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care, 23, St John Street, Valletta, CMR 02.
One may also apply online at www.ehealth.gov.mt if one has an e-ID.
In Malta this card remains valid for three years.
It is important that we carry it with us when we travel, together with our passport or ID card. If we do not present the card when the need arises, we may have to pay the full costs ourselves and may not be able to get a refund.
Having an EHIC does not mean we no longer need to purchase a travel insurance policy.
We should keep in mind that this card does not cover the costs of bringing us back to Malta in case of a serious illness, accident or even death. Furthermore, in some countries, even with the European Health Insurance Card we may still have to pay large medical bills and these may only be reimbursed through a travel insurance policy.
customer@timesofmalta.com
odette.vella@gov.mt
Ms Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.