British visitors to Malta urged to bring health card
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is one of the most important things Britons can take on a visit to Malta or any other EEA country
Sample of a European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC
As Malta prepares for its annual influx of summer visitors, the British High Commission is urging people who are expecting friends and family from the UK to remind them to bring an often-forgotten essential 鈥� a European Health Insurance Card.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e having family or friends to stay this summer, they鈥檒l be asking you what they need to bring. Item number one on their checklist should be the European Health Insurance Card - also known as an EHIC鈥� says Vice Consul Joseph Portelli.
鈥淭his simple piece of plastic entitles the holder to all medically-necessary treatment during a temporary stay in Malta. It鈥檚 easy to get 鈥� check out www.ehic.org.uk - and it costs nothing.
鈥淎lthough most people鈥檚 trips are trouble-free, things can go wrong. An EHIC will provide peace of mind in case someone needs to see the doctor. It鈥檒l help to ensure they don鈥檛 take home a big hospital bill should they need medical care.鈥�
Comprehensive travel insurance is the second vital item on a visitor鈥檚 packing list. It covers all the extras that an EHIC doesn鈥檛 provide, such as repatriation in the case of medical emergency. If a visiting friend or family member is taken into hospital, an EHIC is enough to cover someone until they are well enough to travel home.
If someone who is taking out travel insurance has a pre-existing medical condition, then do remind them to declare it. If they don鈥檛, the insurer may well invalidate their policy.
Every year consular staff in Malta are asked to assist a high number of Britons who have failed to take out travel insurance or who have invalidated their policies, and who have ended up facing huge bills when attending a private clinic or hospital.
However, visitors to Malta should be aware that they do not have to provide travel insurance as payment for medically necessary treatment in a public or state healthcare facility. They should insist that their EHIC is accepted. Anyone asked to sign a form or disclaimer in a state hospital should check that they are not forfeiting the right to be treated under an EHIC.
In emergencies Replacement Certificates can be obtained by calling +44 191 218 1999.
To apply for an EHIC go to www.ehic.org.uk