Using EHIC in Belgium: What is Covered
Each country has a different system in terms of health care, but in the EU, as long as you have a Safe European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are entitled to reciprocal medical treatment. While this is reassuring for regular travelers, it should be reiterated that reciprocal deals do not mean that you will receive the same treatment as you do with the NHS in the UK. Pay to do your research before you travel and always have one yearly travel or annual travel insurance.
Belgium is an EU country and a popular destination for weekend breaks. It is also in a place that people often drive through on their way to other destinations. With valid EHIC, health care can be accessed at low speed or even free depending on how urgent the treatment is. However there are certain things you should know if you need health care in Belgium.
Using EHIC in Belgium: What is Covered
What is EHIC Cover?
The majority of health professionals in Belgium work on a private and public basis, so when you access care, it is vital that you make sure you are seen by a state-funded general practitioner. Only one trip or an annual travel insurance policy that covers private health care. This is very important in case you ask your hotel or vacation representative to call the doctor for you so you make sure they call the general person. Costs incurred when using a personal doctor can not be replaced by EHIC.
If you need health care in Belgium, you may be asked to pay a fee directly to the doctor. You can then reclaim 75% of the cost while you are still in Belgium. You will need receipts to claim the money back as well as the official form, which can be obtained at the doctor or dentist you see. Of course, if you have annual travel insurance or even a single travel policy, you should be able to refund the entire cost.
What about hospitalization? Using EHIC in Belgium: What is Covered
Again, going to a hospital is not free in Belgium. There is a fixed daily charge of about fifteen euros with the cost of drugs on top of that. If you show your EHIC when you confess that you only need to pay the patient fee and avoid paying a down payment that can be refunded.
And Recipe … Using EHIC in Belgium: What is Covered
The recipes must be paid when purchased at the pharmacy but with EHIC you can reclaim 75% when you were in Belgium. With one trip or an annual travel insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim your full costs. Calling 090010500 takes you to the 24-hour pharmacy information line, telling you the location closest to the open one.
While EHIC is a useful part of the documentation, if you want peace of mind with respect to health care while traveling to Belgium, or indeed any other country, invest in insurance. Annual travel insurance is the best option if you plan on doing more than one trip a year.
Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning specialist team in a single global travel and annual travel insurance policy. In addition to offering attractive offers for travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holiday.