Introduction

If you’re thinking of going to another country specifically for medical treatment, different rules apply than those for getting necessary care whilst abroad on a trip. It's important to note that your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not cover going abroad for planned treatment.

First, you should discuss your plans with your doctor before you make any travel or medical arrangements. They will refer you to your local health commissioner who will discuss the options available to you and will confirm the following:

Which treatments they are prepared to fund, and what level of funding would be available.
Exactly how much you will be reimbursed.
That you fully understand the conditions under which you will be treated abroad.
Any programme of after-care or follow-up treatment you might require upon your return to the UK.

If going to an EEA country, there are two routes for obtaining NHS funding. You can use the S2 form (previously E112) issued by the Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) or, alternatively, you can go under Article 56 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (previously Article 49 of the EC Treaty). Your local commissioner can advise you on which option is better for the type of treatment you require. Each option works in a slightly different way.

What is a local health commissioner?

In England: primary care Trusts, practice –based commissioners and GP’s
In Wales: local health boards and Health Commission Wales
In Scotland: the NHS board of the patient’s residence
In Northern Ireland: health and social services boards

Going outside the EEA for treatment

There are no formal arrangements in place if you want to go for treatment to a non EEA country.

You should speak to your local health commissioner to see whether they would be willing to fund your treatment or whether they have specific arrangements in place.

Comments

5 Comments about ‘Introduction’

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

RobinM said on 23 October 2011

Dear Alex
There's no such thing as an S1 card.
Once you've a (permnt) addr in another EU country, you can apply to Newcastle for an S1 form. You'll get one if you satisfy criteria: you're above retirement age, or meet early retirement criteria.
I am pretty sure that signing on does not auto get you an S1.
Armed with this form, & plethora of other paperwork, you can then present yourself to your new country's health service office with the intention of gettin into their health system.
The S1 form is useless in a doctor's surgery or at a pharmacist.

Your EHIC cards are yr safety net & will cover you till they expire (expiry date is printed thereon). Once they expire, Newcastle will tell you what to do next, or tell you they can't advise you in which case, you are on your own health cost wise.

Otherwise, having inserted S1 + paperwork into local office, you might then get accepted into your new country's health system but even then it will be subject to any prevailing agreement between Newcastle & your new country. It varies across all EU countries. Don't expect a country with lean medicare system & no significant agrment with UK to treat you free.

If you've a prevailing medical condition in UK that requires on-going treatment (hence costs) then I urge you to check with Newcastle before you leave, what will happen when you tip up in your new country.

Assume nothing.

Basically, most countries will look after you health-wise provided you have entered into a social contract with them or a partner country. I mean, if you've paid NI in UK (recently!) then UK is 1st point of call.
If you haven't been working in UK for a few years and don't intend to work in new country, then if you are below retirement age, expect to pay for your healthcare out of your private means.

My tip

• Don't assume you won't be ill in yr new country.
• Don't assume someone else will pay if you are.
• If Newcastle disagree with me, Newcastle is right.

AlbusDumbledore said on 16 September 2011

For any treatment coverage and costs use this link

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/EEAcountries.aspx

basically its just the country to country guide it shows all the countries which are covered under the Healthcare Scheme.

Once on, click on the country your visiting and it explains treatment coverages and costs.

Please not the EHIC is not valid for planned treatment.

It will cover any pre-existing illnesses or conditions so for the diabetes yes you will be covered should you require any treatment.

prescription prices may vary and should you go for a check up at the doctors you will be charged on the same basis as a Swedish resident. Charges are not refundable and vary between SEK 100 to SE 150 (£8-£12) per treatment

Hope This Helps!

Linda52 said on 06 August 2011

I plan to live in Sweden for a number of years. I am diabetic and would like to know what costs would be involved in medical check ups and prescriptions.

Alex Plypin said on 17 June 2011

I plan to emigrate to Bulgaria, with my family and we all have EHIC cards. We have been advised that we also need an S1 card, but can only apply for this if we are on benefits - which we are not. My wife and I do not qualify for our state pensions for some time, although we both receive small private pensions - and she has taken early retirement.

Is it absolutely essential to sign on, in order to be even able to apply for an S1 card?

fortune100 said on 23 March 2011

I would like to know if rehabilitation treatment is covered by either article 56 or S2. If traumatic rehabilitation were required, would it fall under "planned treatment"?

Also, what is the coverage for Switzerland? From what I understand it could be possible to receive treatment, but this would only be with prior authorisation of hospital treatment. Non-hospital treatment would not be covered. Does this mean rehabilitation is not covered, be it state-sector or private?