Some EU hospitals charging for care despite free system
AA Insurance has warned holidaymakers that their European health insurance card (EHIC) might not insure them for the cost of being ill in some parts of Europe.
Some hospitals in southern Europe, particularly Spain, have been rejecting EHIC patients, and some have been charging high medical fees instead, according to the Sunday Times.
Some clinics and hospitals have demanded that travellers pay fees of up to €500 (£427) before treatment. The AA Insurance added that anecdotal evidence suggests that some taxi firms and hotel staff refer ill holidaymakers to non-EHIC hospitals in return for referral fees.
The European Commission has launched legal action against Spain as a result.
AA Insurance director Simon Douglas said: “Travellers have been told they must provide credit card details before any treatment as well as their insurance details, and that the EHIC is not acceptable.”
The EHIC guarantees EU citizens free healthcare in all 27 member countries. It covers costs for emergency treatment and long-term medical care, such as kidney dialysis. But it does not cover private treatment, leading many to buy travel insurance to cover the risk.
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