What to Do if You Lose Your EHIC, and Other Key Information

The European Health Card, or EHIC, is always recommended for travellers from the UK going to other countries in Europe. This card provides them with the same level of health cover as a resident of the country would receive from the state, and it is completely free.

But what happens if you are abroad and you lose the card? Do you lose your entitlement to healthcare? Here's what you need to know, as well as answers to other common questions.

What to Do When You Lose Your European Health Card

Although it can be annoying to lose your EHIC, it is not a disaster. As long as you have applied for and received your card in the first place, you will remain covered. What you will need to do, however, is order a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).

This is easy enough to do from anywhere - all you have to do is call the Overseas Healthcare Team and they will take it from there. They will need certain information, including your National Insurance Number, so have this handy. Once they have all the details they need they will send your PRC to the place where you need to receive treatment, meaning you can enjoy access to free healthcare without delay.

Is All Healthcare Free?

This is a very common misconception for people carrying a European Health Card, who assume that they will be covered for all their healthcare needs. The EHIC only provides free healthcare where residents of the country would also get it free from the state. So while you may be able to get a broken arm fixed in a public hospital, you may not qualify for free dental treatment if you break a tooth. You may also find that in some countries you are expected to pay for prescriptions, as they are not covered by the state healthcare system. It's a good idea to check the NHS website to find out exactly what treatments are covered by the EHIC for the country or countries you intend travelling to.

What If Your EHIC Is Refused?

The EHIC should not be refused to procure state level medical care if you require it. It should always be enough for you to simply present your card and provide your details in order to receive care. The card does not cover private care, however, so make it very clear you want access to state healthcare.

You may have heard about instances where the card is refused and patients are required to pay for their treatment. If this happens, do not sign anything without being certain what it means, as you could be signing consent to receive private treatment and you will not get a refund for this. If you do have to pay, keep records of everything. If you also have travel insurance, contact your provider for advice.

Do note, however, that if you've gone abroad for the express purpose of seeking medical treatment, this is not covered - the card is only for unexpected and emergency medical problems.

Know Before You Go

It is a good idea to do as much research as you can before you go abroad when it comes to the benefits and limitations of your European Health Card. That way you will have a better idea of what to expect, and you can also prepare yourself properly should certain situations arise.

P.K. Chong is the Managing Director of All About EHIC. As a major insurance authority, we provide information and top up insurance for those travellers with a European Health Card, known as the EHIC. This top up insurance will cover issues not covered by the EHIC card.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.