Franconian Beer Message Board

OT: EHIC
Posted by Barry on 2014-08-13 05:06:50

This may be of interest to readers who are EU citizens (or would-be EU citizens!).  Under EU law, EU citizens are entitled to 'free' healthcare when visiting other EU countries.  Actually, the legislation says something like 'the equivalent of minimum health cover offered to the ciitizens of the country to be visited.  So, actual provision depends on the status of healthcare in the country to be visited (like all EU legislation, a lot depends on interpretation).

Anyway, EU citizens can avail of this facility by obtaining a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in their home country.  Fortunately, due to J's vigilance, we renewed our's just before coming away. 

In the first couple of weeks of our visit to Eschawo, I developed 'temporary' deafness in my right ear - so when I ignored you in Bamberg, it was only because I couldn't hear you, no other reason!

My friend Ludwig arranged for me to visit the local doctor and I trotted up with my EHIC in hand, slightly apprehensive as I had heard dark tales of doctors refusing to recognise it.  But, absolutely no problem, with typical efficiency, the receptionist produced the requisite form to sign and I was ushered in to Dr Schmidt.  Typical of Eschawo, he turned out to be a cousin of our landlady.  A quick look into the offending orifice and a large syringe was produced with both ears flushed out for good measure.  Bingo, hearing returned as good as new - well, as good as before and no charge - isn't the EU wonderful?

So, the moral of the story, make sure that you have your EHIC before you leave home.
 
Followups:
   OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-13 05:20:40
     OT: EHIC by johnratcliffe on  2014-08-13 05:42:13
       OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-13 06:14:26
     OT: EHIC by Mosquit on  2014-08-13 06:15:47
       OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-13 06:22:32
         OT: EHIC by johnratcliffe on  2014-08-13 06:50:28
         OT: EHIC by Barry on  2014-08-13 07:01:38
           OT: EHIC by Barry on  2014-08-14 03:58:11
           OT: EHIC by DonS on  2014-08-14 11:46:57
             OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-14 15:09:59
               OT: EHIC by DonS on  2014-08-18 09:53:59
             OT: EHIC by FredW on  2014-08-18 10:11:43
               OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-18 15:09:02
                 OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-18 15:11:06
                   OT: EHIC by DonS on  2014-08-19 06:37:47
                 OT: EHIC by DonS on  2014-08-19 06:44:49
                   OT: EHIC by Nick B. on  2014-08-21 01:39:41