If you have decided to take a break from the rainy days of summer and head for sunnier climes, remember to apply for a European Health Insurance card, Hélène Hofmanadvises.
Many holiday makers are travelling abroad without applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to cover them in case of an accident or illness.
According to Siobhan Duffy, legal consultant with the European Commission Representation in Ireland, a significant number of people are inquiring about the EHIC before going away, but too many people are still complacent about getting the card.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has also expressed concern that the unseasonably wet weather has led to a large number of people booking last-minute holidays in the sun without applying for or renewing their EHIC.
The EHIC is available free of charge to all EU citizens and entitles the holder to necessary medical treatment during a temporary stay in any EU state as well as in Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
The card replaced the E111 form on June 1st, 2004 and between then and December 2006 more than one million have been issued to Irish citizens.
However, both the HSE and the European Commission Representation in Ireland warn that not everyone is availing of the service.
"I think there is general awareness of the old E111 which was replaced by the EHIC," says Duffy. "However, people are complacent about ensuring that they have their EHIC when travelling. They are free and can avoid unnecessary stress and hardship if the citizen becomes ill or involved in an accident while on holidays," she says.
Every person travelling, including babies and young children, needs their own EHIC, says Duffy. Applications can be obtained from local health offices, while medical card holders or anyone on the Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) can apply online.
Applicants are usually advised to allow 10 days for their application to be processed. However, Duffy says that at this time of year the number of applications is higher so it can take a few weeks for the card to be issued.
"When you are away, make sure that you have your EHIC on your person. If you are unfortunate enough to fall ill or be involved in an accident and your EHIC is safely stored at the hotel, you will need it before presenting yourself at the public hospital for treatment," she says.
Holders of the card are entitled to publicly funded treatment in the country in which they are staying. However, each state has different conditions. In most cases you will have to pay part of the cost, in others you will have to pay the total cost and then claim a refund and in a few the treatment may be completely free.
"[With the EHIC] you are entitled to be treated the same as a national of the country in which you find yourself.
"In other words, if you would receive free medical care as a national health patient in the host state, then you would also receive free medical care using the EHIC as an Irish person there. If healthcare or provision of prescription medicines is subsidised for nationals of the country in which you find yourself, then it will be subsidised for you also.
"Consequently, it's a good idea to carry out research before you go if you are faced with having to use the EHIC," says Duffy.
A card holder who requires regular treatment, for example kidney dialysis, may also be accommodated but Duffy stresses that it is essential to check that the necessary health facilities are available near to your destination.
"In such a case, the citizen would have to advise their own medical team of their intention to go to another state so that arrangements could be put in place to ensure that the citizen could receive the treatment in that state during the holiday.
"Obviously, this has limitations in that the only dialysis centre may be some distance from the resort so, again, it is important to carry out detailed research in such circumstances," she says.
If you forget your EHIC some countries will accept your passport or driver's licence as proof of your entitlement. However, Duffy warns that this is not always the case. In an emergency, the HSE can be contacted to fax through confirmation of your entitlement.
The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. Duffy recommends taking out travel insurance to cover the cost of lost baggage or flight delays.
She also points out that if you are taken ill or have an accident, you may have to incur the cost of extra travel, accommodation and re-arranged flights, which is covered by some insurance plans.
In these cases, many travel insurers will only honour your claim if you can produce your EHIC.
For more information on the EHIC visit: www.ehic.ie or http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/social_security_schemes/healthcare/index_en.htm
Siobhan Duffy, legal consultant with the European Commission Representation in Ireland, is available to give free general information and advice relating to your rights in the EU.
She can be contacted on tel: 01-6341111, by e-mail to Siobhan.duffy@ec.europa.eu or in writing to 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.
These cards are free and can help avoid unnecessary stress.