E111 - dont leave home without it. (Travel Health in general)

Member Name: sandra_dee

Product:	Travel Health in general
Date:	04/05/03 (693 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: its free, its easy

Disadvantages: are there any?

Having recently told a friend who was travelling abroad about the E111, I was surprised how many people at work had no idea what one was, where to get one from, or how much they cost.

What is an E111?

An E111 is an extension of your National Health Service cover. You collect one from the post office, even the small ones, its is in a leaflet that says Health advice for travellers on the front. You fill in the forms at the back with the names of the people you want covered.

The first form says application for form E111, but if you qualify you will be issued with you certificate (form 2) straight away, no need to wait. There are only few minor questions names, address, phone number, date of birth, national insurance or pension number, you have to state if you are planning to live outside the UK after this visit abroad, (your form will no longer be valid once you live abroad), your nationality and finally if you are a stateless person or a refugee, (if you are you will need to show your travel documents from the Home Office.

The second form is the E111 itself. All you need to fill in on this one is your employment status; the options are employed, self-employed, pensioner, or other. The name of the primary insured and address in the first box and in the second members of the family you wish to be included, husband, wife, children, grandchildren (my son is on my parents E111 and on mine, you can have two). And the date of travel.

All you then have to do its go along to the post office to get its stamped. And basically that is it. For those who don't know I'm sure your asking how much do they cost. They cost ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, that's right nothing, free, gratuit. (Unless you count what you pay in National Insurance contributions)

Who is eligible?

In order to claim an E111 you need to be a UK national, a national of any other EEA (European economic area), a stateless person, a widow receiving
a UK State
pension or widows benefit.

How long does the cover last?

Basically forever. On the form its asks for date of travel. If you leave the return date empty (which you can) it will then run from the start date and never end. The only time you would need to get a new one is if you change address, name etc etc.

What do you get?

Its really depends on which country you are travelling to, but basically you will receive free or reduced medical treatment, (and dental in some countries).

If you need to use it, what do I do and what do I need?

Again this depends which country you are in, each country is explained fully in the leaflet. But looking at the list most countries want proof that you are a UK citizen and will accept (depending on the country) UK passport, driving licence or medical card. They will also need to see the E111.

Claiming any medical expenses back?

You can do this two ways, whilst you are still in the country, the address for each country is in the leaflet, or waiting until you return to the UK, again the address is in the leaflet. You will need to keep copies of as many documents as possible relating to your claim, bills etc etc and keep a copy for yourself when making a claim, just in case the Royal Mail loses them. The rest you should be able to claim from your travel insurance.

In the leaflet it is crammed packed with information about travelling in general, what injections you need for certain countries and health/travel info in general.


THIS FORM IS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE. ITS IS TO WORK ALONG SIDE TO HELP AVOID HAVING TO PAY MEDICAL EXPENSES WHILST ABROAD.

IT DOES NOT COVER, DELAYED HOLS, LOSS OF BAGAGE, PASSPORT, MONEY ETC ETC ETC ETC.

Summary: