If you are a citizen of the European Economic Area or Europe, willing to stay or travel temporarily in some other EEA state or in Switzerland, you have the right to receive proper medical attention in case you meet an accident or get sick. Healthcare beyond immediate treatment is also available to seconded workers, students and individuals entitled to social security pensions. The E111 form along with other ‘E’ forms was replaced by the European Health Insurance Card making it very easy for people to avail medical care on an immediate basis. The card stands evidence of the fact that the cardholder is part of the health insurance plan managed by Switzerland or some other EEA state.
Where to Use the E111 Card?
Obtaining healthcare with the use of the E111 card is very easy. You simply need to visit the closest public system medical professional or doctor or a public hospital and present your EHIC. You can also obtain treatment through the card at a public treatment centre. It is very important to understand that public health care mechanisms keep changing from one country to another. There are countries that make payments of the entire expense on healthcare for the cardholders.
At present, the European Economic Area consists of a total of 28 states belonging to the European Union along with Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. You can use your E111 card across any of these member states and even in Switzerland. However, if the country that you are visiting is not on the list of the member states, you will not be able to use your E111 card. You might have to opt for private health insurance in this case. For example, Monaco and Andorra are not the member states of the European Union and therefore people visiting these principalities are not entitled to the use of the E111 card.
How to Go with the E111 Card Renewal Procedure?
Remember, the E111 card renewal procedure is not automatic. It is necessary for you to submit an application requesting the renewal of your E111 card. Details like full name, address, date of birth, CHI number, health and care number and NHS number need to be provided in the same format and structure as you had provided for getting your EHIC for the first time. If any of these details have gone through many changes since the time you were issued your last card, make sure to contact the Local Health Office for getting this data updated before the card renewal.
What are the Rates of Renewal?
You will not have to pay a single penny for getting the E111 card or the Temporary Replacement Certificate. E111 card renewal is also free of cost thus making the entire procedure a good and affordable deal for all travellers.
Already expired E111 cards can also be renewed but then it is important for you to have your old card with you during the card renewal procedure. In order to make things easier, it is suggested that you submit your card renewal application way before the expiry of the card and also before planning your date of travel.
