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THE MEDICAL SCREENING COMPANY

EHIC Plus offered by the Medical Screening Company and underwritten by a Lloyd's syndicate, is a new top-up policy for holders of an EHIC.

With the summer holidays almost upon us, the vision of those lazy, hazy turquoise-water days of bliss is slowly becoming a reality. Nowhere in this peaceful mindscape is there any hint of sickness or ill-health, but the reality is that several million of us are treated abroad every year for illness or accident occurring whilst on holiday. Taking out travel insurance, although a vital part of planning any holiday is often left to the last minute. Any loopholes or shortcomings in your policy may only become evident when it’s too late.

Robert Ince, Managing Director of The Medical Screening Company, has some good advice for travellers. ‘Do your homework and make sure that you understand exactly what’s covered by your policy. I have spent more than 20 years in the travel insurance industry and have witnessed both the good and the bad. When you are abroad and are taken ill or have an accident, it is important that your cover is adequate for your needs. That is not the time to discover a loophole or exclusions.’

Ince goes on to explain that, in many European counties, State hospitals offer far superior care to private facilities. ‘Many private hospitals abroad don’t, for example, have a specialist paediatric unit. As a parent, this is not something I want to discover when my child is ill and I am in a foreign country. We recommend that all UK citizens travelling to Europe apply for an EHIC card prior to travel.’

An EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card) is the replacement to the E111 form and entitles UK citizens to free or reduced cost emergency care in a State hospital in any of the EU member countries. In order to be treated you need to present your EHIC card on admission. State Healthcare services offer a wide network throughout the EU, from remote villages to the most popular tourist resorts. There are many advantages to having treatment using the EHIC.

State healthcare facilities are regulated by governments and provide care of the highest possible standards. The same level of regulation does not apply to all private medical facilities. Moreover medical staff in State hospitals are regulated and properly trained. Requirements for private hospital staff are not as rigorous.

Ince’s co-director Dr Sammy Massoud, an NHS Consultant adds, ‘Whilst some private hospitals have ICUs, these are mainly for postoperative supervision, unlike State hospitals which provide both facilities and expertise for serious ICU cases. The emphasis in many private ‘tourist’ hospitals is on customer relations and home comforts like satellite television. Often this means a compromise on medical expertise. Serious medical cases almost always end up being transferred to State medical facilities.

’The downside of the EHIC is that not all costs are covered, only the hospital care itself. The Medical Screening Company has just launched a new product which neatly fills this gap. Underwritten by Lloyd’s ЄHICPlus Travel Insurance is effectively a ‘top-up’ to the EHIC card and covers rescue services to take you to hospital; the cost of getting you home to the UK if you are unable to use your return ticket; emergency medical treatment in a state hospital and hospital benefit towards incidental expenses for each day you spend in hospital

Moreover, EHICPlus

Provides cover for all ages including the over 65s (there is, in fact, no age limit))
Can cover you for up to 4 months (useful for those with holiday homes in Europe)
Has a far higher tolerance level than most policies for those with pre-existing medical conditions
Is a cost-effective option
Ideal for School groups

As Ince says ‘Why pay for Private medical insurance cover at a premium when you can get medical treatment with an EHIC Card and get travel insurance cover for everything else such as cancellation, curtailment, repatriation, baggage and so much more? ЄHICPlus is a comprehensive policy backed by a respected insurer.’

Alarmingly, figures released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office show that up to 65% of people in the over-55 age bracket travel without travel insurance protection. Average insurance costs for the older age bracket were also said to be around three and a half times more expensive than the usual policy for someone aged 18 to 24 (source: www.cliniciansupport.org). EHICPlus now offers a workable alternative.

Footnote:

Europe remains the most popular destination for UK residents, accounting for 80 per cent of visits abroad. Spain continues to be the most popular country to visit, with France in second place. In the 12-month period to April 2008, the number of visits abroad by UK residents remained in the region of 70.3 million (source: www.statistics.gov.uk)

PRESS CONTACT: Kate McCarthy
kate@pnprltd.com 01483 421347

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