Britons face losing healthcare in Europe as EU toughens Brexit stance

[AtW]

British tourists and business travellers will lose free healthcare in Europe, under hardline proposals put forward by the European Union during Brexit negotiations in Brussels.

European Commission officials told their British counterparts that the UK will be thrown out of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) system after the 29 March 2019 withdrawal date.

EHIC is a reciprocal agreement that means foreign hospitals accept that the cost of treatment for any accident will be paid by the National Health Service.

Without it, holidaymakers must cover their own costs, which can run to thousands of pounds, or take out private insurance.

David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, has asked the EU to continue with the scheme, and said that if Brussels refuses, the Government will foot the £155 million-a-year bill - (AtW's comment: no, the Govt got no money, it's the TAXPAYERS money - TAXPAYERS who will foot the bill).

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Brexit - Instead of £350 mln per week for NHS, it will be £155 mln a year for EU Health Services, very small amount btw - but with NHS cuts one should expect reverse "health tourism" to appear, how ironic.

[scooterscot]

Chickens are coming home to roost now.

Greece is starting to look like paradise.

[original PM]

British tourists and business travellers will lose free healthcare in Europe, under hardline proposals put forward by the European Union during Brexit negotiations in Brussels.

European Commission officials told their British counterparts that the UK will be thrown out of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) system after the 29 March 2019 withdrawal date.

EHIC is a reciprocal agreement that means foreign hospitals accept that the cost of treatment for any accident will be paid by the National Health Service.

Without it, holidaymakers must cover their own costs, which can run to thousands of pounds, or take out private insurance.

David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, has asked the EU to continue with the scheme, and said that if Brussels refuses, the Government will foot the £155 million-a-year bill - (AtW's comment: no, the Govt got no money, it's the TAXPAYERS money - TAXPAYERS who will foot the bill).

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Brexit - Instead of £350 mln per week for NHS, it will be £155 mln a year for EU Health Services, very small amount btw - but with NHS cuts one should expect reverse "health tourism" to appear, how ironic.

As most people do - my father in law fell ill in Majorca in 2010 - ended up being put into induced coma, having a multiple heart bypass and being flown home by air ambulance.

If we had relied on an e111 he would be dead.

[BlasterBates]

This makes sense as other countries all have insurance systems geared to cover costs other countries. The UK travellers were the main beneficiaries of this EU wide arrangement, enabling them to travel without having to take out insurance.

[woohoo]

This makes sense as other countries all have insurance systems geared to cover costs other countries. The UK travellers were the main beneficiaries of this EU wide arrangement, enabling them to travel without having to take out insurance.

Everyone I know gets insurance when they travel to the EU - you would be mad not to.

Also, I was under the impression that EU countries are much better at claiming costs back from the NHS than we are claiming it back from them.

[Platypus]

This is all a bit weird, because as far as I understood it, treatment abroad is paid for by the NHS

NHS 'Scandal' As UK Pays Millions To EU

[meridian]

This is all a bit weird, because as far as I understood it, treatment abroad is paid for by the NHS

NHS 'Scandal' As UK Pays Millions To EU

It is worded oddly. I think the crucial bit in the OP is this:

EHIC is a reciprocal agreement that means foreign hospitals accept that the cost of treatment for any accident will be paid by the National Health Service.

Without it, holidaymakers must cover their own costs, which can run to thousands of pounds, or take out private insurance.

In other words, at the moment the NHS is charged by EU hospitals for any Brits using the EU services. After the change, Brits will be charged at the door in the EU hospital for any services they need (or they will require private travel insurance).

[northernladuk]

Surely if we do the same we'll actually make on the deal?

[Platypus]

Surely if we do the same we'll actually make on the deal?

An issue seems to be that the NHS simply can't be bothered to reclaim the costs. The is a problem for visitors from outside the EU too.

I CBA to site sources, there are plenty.

[vetran]

This is all a bit weird, because as far as I understood it, treatment abroad is paid for by the NHS

NHS 'Scandal' As UK Pays Millions To EU

So we will be £620M better off that we could spend on the NHS?

Maybe we should put that on the side of a bus or something?