HEALTH INSURANCE UK

UK STUDENTS

Medical Health Insurance for UK Students Studying Abroad

Any UK student studying abroad must be covered by a student medical insurance policy. The student medical insurance must cover the insured for in-patient and out-patient treatment, medical prescriptions, GP treatment and any serious illness, ill-health or hospital stays. The health insurance cover should also be no less than £5,000,000 (five million GBP). Student medical insurance should also cover you for medical evacuation and repatriation.

The term 'Evacuation' means should you become seriously ill or disabled, you are insured for the costs of returning home.

The term 'Repatriation' means insurance against the costs incurred in returning your remains should you die while abroad (most but not all University international student policies cover this).

USA educational institutions will have a policy available which you can join. Some institutions require that you join their medical health insurance scheme. You will be given information on this by the institution you are studying in. Please be sure to check before buying alternative student health insurance. It is compulsory in Canada and Australia to purchase the host institutions student health insurance policy.

If you are on a USA / Canada / Australasia degree scheme, your LEA (Local Education Authority) will reimburse part of your medical insurance costs.

For UK students studying abroad check out the following link where you can get a health insurance by Endsleigh. Originally founded by NUS, Endsleigh offers students a special insurance service tailored to student lifestyles - and pockets!

Endsleigh supports a wide range of student movement activities including training, conferences, welfare work and campaigns.

http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/web/policies/travel/studyabroad/index.html

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for UK residents

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is the replacement for the E111. As of 1 January 2006, E111s are not valid.

Persons who are normally resident in the United Kingdom (UK) are entitled to a UK issued EHIC.

The EHIC can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness within the European Economic Area (EEA). The card entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting and the service provided will be the same as received by a person covered by the country's 'insured' medical scheme. This may not cover all of the services you would expect within the UK and you may have to make a contribution towards the care you receive.

The EHIC can also be used to receive treatment for pre-existing illnesses, chronic diseases and routine maternity care, but conditions do apply so please check before you travel. The EHIC does not cover persons who are visiting a country with the main intention of receiving medical treatment.

The EHIC may not cover persons for all medical costs incurred so you are strongly advised to also arrange travel insurance to ensure that you are covered for all possible eventualities.

The EHIC is valid within the EEA, which consists of the European Union (EU) plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland also operates the same arrangement.

What does the EHIC cover?

The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, because of either illness or an accident. The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only, and you'll be treated on the same basis as an 'insured' person living in the country you're visiting. Remember, this might not cover all the things you'd expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.

The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or pre-existing illness. You need to make arrangements in advance for kidney dialysis and oxygen therapy. To arrange for kidney dialysis while you're away, contact your NHS renal unit in the UK before you travel. For limited information on oxygen supply services in the EEA countries and Switzerland, call the Department of Health's Customer Service Centre on 020 7210 4850.

Remember that the EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip. You are advised to take out comprehensive private insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC.

Your EHIC should cover you for routine maternity care while you are away. However, if you are going to an EEA country or Switzerland specifically to have your baby, you will need an E112 form - see the 'Non-emergency treatment section' for more information.

Who is eligible for an EHIC?

People who are ordinarily resident in the UK are entitled to a UK-issued EHIC. It is not valid for people who are going to live abroad. There are some restrictions, depending on your nationality:

• UK and other EU nationals, stateless persons and refugees are covered in all EEA countries and Switzerland. However, if you are a national of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, your EHIC is not valid in Switzerland.
• Nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are covered in all EEA countries but not in Switzerland.
• People who do not have UK, EU, EEA or Swiss nationality are covered in all EU countries but not in Denmark, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. In Iceland, these people are covered for emergency treatment only.
• Swiss nationals are covered in all EU countries but not in Liechtenstein or Norway. In Iceland they are covered for emergency treatment only.
• Dependants of EEA nationals who are ordinarily resident in the UK are covered in all EEA countries and Switzerland, irrespective of their own nationality.

Application For European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you are a UK resident, you are entitled to medical treatment that becomes necessary, at reduced cost or sometimes free, when temporarily visiting a European Union (EU) country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Only treatment provided under the state scheme is covered. However, to obtain treatment you will need to take a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. Please note: Not all UK residents are covered in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Click on the 'Health Advice for Travellers' link below, if you are unsure whether you are covered.

Applying For A Card

You can apply for an EHC, free of charge, on this website by clicking on the 'Apply Now' link below. Alternatively, you can apply:

• by calling 0845 606 2030; or
• by picking up an application form from the Post Office.
• by applying online at https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do

Only one application by either post / internet or telephone is necessary. If you have made any prior applications and are yet to receive a card, please call our enquiry line on 0845 605 0707

Before applying for an EHIC it is advisable to have read the information at 'Health Advice For Travellers'

In order to apply ensure you have the NHS or National Insurance Number, Surname/Family Name, Forenames and Date of Birth of each applicant.

INCOMING STUDENTS

Student Health and Medical Insurance UK

Students who studying in the UK for more than six months, are entitled to free medical treatment under the National Health Service (NHS). This starts from the day the student registers with their university, college or school. However, it is strongly advised that any student should also take out their own student health insurance.

Healthcare Available to International Students in the UK

Overseas students, intending to stay in the UK for more than six months, are regarded as UK residents and may register for NHS care as explained below.

Overseas students who intend to stay in the UK for less than six months may apply for NHS care, but it is not available everywhere. Please check with the surgery or medical centre you choose to register with.

If you do not, or are not able to register for NHS care, you are advised to take out student health insurance to cover the cost of private medical care, which is available at some UK doctors surgeries, (check the details of your medical insurance policy to ensure that it is valid in the UK). You will normally be expected to pay for your medical treatment and then reclaim the money from your health insurance company.

What will I have to pay for?

In the UK, there is a charge for prescribed medicines, dental and ophthalmic care for all students over the age of 19. You can apply for help with these charges by completing an HC1 form available from your halls of residence or Student Services.

Emergency medical treatment is available free of charge to everyone.

Incoming students

Britain has a subsidized health service which provides free health care and treatment for people who are resident in Britain.

Students who are enrolled on a program which will last for more than six months are also entitled to NHS treatment.

If a doctor prescribes any medicines these are subsidized but there will be a charge made for each prescription - currently 5.75 UK Pounds per item.

Dental treatment is subsidized by NHS but everyone has to pay something towards the cost of their treatment.

Coming to the UK for less than six months

If you are coming to the UK for less than six months, you will have to pay for most health treatments unless they are from a country with a reciprocal health care agreement with the UK. Even then, free medical treatment is limited to circumstances where the need for treatment happens during your stay in the UK .

If your country does not have an agreement with the UK, you should get health insurance. It is probably easier to get this in your own country. If you need to get insurance in the UK , the NUS (National Union of Students) recommends Endsleigh Insurance. [new window]

Treatment in an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of an NHS hospital is free for everyone. If you are admitted as an in-patient after being treated in an Accident and Emergency department, you would then have to pay. Certain community health services are also free of charge to everyone.

NB!
Please make sure to check with your private insurance company in your own country. You might already be covered during your time abroad. Hence you will not need to get another insurance.