16/08/2004

New Euro health insurance proposals unveiled

Proposals for the UK-wide introduction of the new European health insurance card have been published today by the Department of Health.

The new health insurance card will replace the current 'E-forms', in particular the E111, which are used by European citizens to prove their entitlement to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment during temporary stays in other European countries.

The proposals will see the replacement of existing E-forms but the same entitlements will remain. The card will be free of charge and valid for up to five years.

It will also be easier to apply for the new card with applications possible via telephone, internet, and email. The new card will be administered by the Prescription Pricing Authority who will be responsible for processing applications and distributing cards.

From 1 June 2004, 13 European countries began introducing the European health insurance card. The remaining 16 countries including the UK are committed to introducing the new card by December 2005. An extra 18 months was granted to these countries as they did not have existing national health card systems which could be adapted to the new European model.

Proposals for a new smart NHS card in England will be developed as part of the European Health Insurance Card. The Department of Health will consult further on these proposals in due course.

The consultation published today will run to September 28.

(gmcg)

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