24 August 2005 EHIC set to replace E111
The new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is soon to be introduced to the UK as a replacement for the old E111 form.
As of September 1st, the new EHIC will be available at post offices, while the E111 will no longer be available from August 31st, although it will remain valid until the end of January 2006.
The free card enables the holder to access free or discounted emergency healthcare throughout Europe.
But travellers should remember that the EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance.
According to The Sunday Times, only ten million people have applied for the new card, meaning millions of people could find themselves in financial difficulties when abroad.
The Department of Health is urging people to get their card as soon as possible: "If you travel without one, it could be the start of a long and tiresome negotiation between you, your travel insurer and a foreign hospital — and when you’re ill, the last thing you’ll want to be doing is paperwork."
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