Everything you need to know about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

When you travel abroad, whether on holiday or for professional reasons, you can run into health problems, and access to healthcare can sometimes be difficult in certain countries. To overcome these difficulties, the European Health Insurance Card was created. In this article, Class'Park gives you all the information you need about this document.

What is the purpose of the European Health Insurance Card?

La European health insurance card enables people to receive medically necessary treatment, so they do not have to return to France for treatment. It replaces the old forms and is valid for all reasons for travel and all user statuses (worker, unemployed, student, etc.). This document can be used in the countries of the European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The European Health Insurance Card works in two ways. In the first case, treatment is free for the insured person, who only has to pay any co-payment. In the second case, treatment is subject to a charge and a claim for reimbursement must be made.

There are two possible scenarios for the operation of the the European health insurance card. In the first case, the service is free. The insured person does not pay any charges, except for a possible co-payment. In the second case, there is a charge for the service and a claim for reimbursement must be made.

How do I apply for my EHIC before I travel?

If you wish to obtain a European Health Insurance Card before your trip, you must apply to your local health insurance fund (CPAM). It is advisable to apply at least 15 days before departure. It is important to note that the card is individual and nominativeThis means that every member of the family must have one, including minors.

If departure is scheduled before the recommended 15-day period, it is possible to obtain a provisional certificate from the Caisse d'assurance maladie (health insurance fund). This document entitles you to the same rights as the EHIC, but is only valid for 3 months.

No specific document is required to obtain a European Health Insurance Card. The application can be made in three different ways.

There are three ways of applying for a European Health Insurance Card:

• by contacting 3646,
• using multi-service terminals available at the Caisse d'assurance maladie (health insurance fund)
• or by submitting a application via the Ameli application.

Depending on your profile, you can also apply to the Mutualité sociale agricole (MSA) or the Mutualité fonction publique (MFP). Students can apply to the Mutuelle des étudiants or the Sécurité sociale étudiante.

So it's important to prepare several weeks in advance before you leave on your trip. To take things a step further, you can also take into account other factors that will help you organise your trip.

For example, if you are travelling abroad from Roissy, you can search for a car park close to Roissy CDG airport to park your vehicle. Class'Park offers this service and also provides a free shuttle to take you to the terminal and back. All these preparations will allow you to travel with peace of mind.

Criteria for obtaining a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

The European Health Insurance Card can be obtained on one condition: it must be covered by the national social security system in a member country of the European Union, as well as in Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

If you are not a national of one of the countries covered by the EHIC, it is still possible to obtain one by proving that you are a resident of a European Union country and affiliated to the Social Security system.

How do you use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) while abroad?

When you travel abroad, you may be faced with unexpected health problems such as illness or an accident. In such cases, you can use your EHIC to obtain the same care as residents of the country you are visiting. To do this, you will need to show your card to the doctor or hospital concerned. Depending on the circumstances, you may benefit from an exemption from medical expensesas explained above.

You may find yourself in this situation while travelling on business. If you are required to take time off work, it is still possible to receive daily benefits. To do so, you will need to send the work stoppage notice to your CPAM within 48 hours of it being issued. If the conditions for receiving compensation are met, you will receive it.

The EHIC is a document that simplifies theAccess to healthcare in European countries. To benefit from it, you can either call the dedicated number or use your Ameli account to request it.