It could mean the difference between receiving healthcare or not
The UK has a number of agreements with the likes of EU countries to ensure British citizens and UK residents travelling abroad are able to get free or discounted healthcare when possible. However, a lesser-known agreement extends this to over 20 countries outside the EU as well, but there are some caveats here.
Known as reciprocal healthcare agreements, this international policy allows British citizens and residents to be treated in the healthcare system of a qualifying country they’re visiting as if they were a resident of that country. Including the likes of Australia and New Zealand to Jersey and Tristan da Cunha island.
The agreement promises to provide discounted medical treatment, where possible, and necessary immediate treatment could also be provided free of charge to get the patient healthy enough to travel back to the UK where the rest of their treatment will take place. However, it does not cover the costs of repatriation or the routine monitoring of pre-existing conditions.
It’s also worth noting that this doesn’t mean people can ignore health or travel advice warnings and valid travel insurance is still a necessity to cover the worst-case scenario on your getaway. Additionally, most of these countries will require a document to prove you’re entitled to healthcare under the agreement.
The evidence required for this can vary between countries but usually aims to prove the person is a UK citizen or current resident. It can include vital documents like a UK passport, driving licence, proof of National Insurance or NHS enrolment, or utility bills.
For example, in newly added North Macedonia, you can get emergency hospital treatment, some emergency dental treatment and other emergency medical treatment on the basis that the same treatment is available to local residents. You’ll need to pay for prescription medicines though and will need a UK passport or proof of National Insurance enrolment to be eligible.
On the other hand, the procedure in Montenegro is a bit more complicated as you can present a valid UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to be eligible. If you are a UK national you could also use your UK passport as proof to access healthcare but if you’re not a UK national but are a resident in the UK you’ll need to provide your passport and a valid GHIC or EHIC.
To get emergency treatment you, or someone on your behalf, must take these documents to a local Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro branch, to get a hospital certificate. This can be retrieved at any point before you are discharged from your emergency treatment and must be shown to the relevant facility to receive the healthcare from state medical facilities without charge.
Because each country has such varied requirements and allowances under the reciprocal agreements it’s best to check the Government’s foreign travel advice before leaving the UK. You should also make sure you have valid travel insurance.
This post was originally published on here
