The European Health Card. Why don't the Poles know about it? Free Medical care.

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Oct 26, 11, 18:19 #1

In Europe we are all entitled to free medical care in any of the 27 countries which are part of Europe.(+ Norway, and a couple of others)

I have noticed that my Polish friends don't know about it and most of them have never asked their health card although it is free and extremely useful all over Europe.
The way it works is that basically depending where in Europe you are from, you need to get this card from your local Health institution ( the card has to be renewed every year) and you may live or travel in Europe and get free medical care, which is very useful for students for example.

Check the EU website for info

In English http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en
In Polish http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=pl

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Oct 26, 11, 18:42 #2
LwowskaKrakow: I have noticed that my Polish friends don't know about it and most of them have never asked their health card although it is free and extremely useful all over Europe. if u mean that blue/white creditcard size card issued by nfz, i've got one. not much info on it though.

♂

Edited by: pantsless Oct 26, 11, 19:25 #3

1. Only for emergency medical treatment or if you fall suddenly sick. You cant go to Germany to get that operation that you listed to have in 3 years through NFZ.
2. The card is valid for a maximum of two months or something, not a year, normally they give it to you for as long as you are travelling. Ever ytime you want to abroad you have to get a new one, and for someone who is self-employed its a PITA.
3. Nope, it's not for those living in another country. The second you find a job you have insure through that country's insurance system.
4. NFZ's own website says they recommend you buy private health insurance, since only the most basic costs, or sometimes only part of even NONE of costs are covered by the EHIC. Transport to Poland for example is not covered, and many countries hit you with 40 to 80 euro fees for visits.
5. Even better, in some countries you have to pay upfront and then get refunded by NFZ. Oh... that sure sounds painless.

So save yourself the hassle and just get private medical insurance, I just got covered for a year for 200zl through Hestia.

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Oct 26, 11, 19:50 #4

pantsless:

just get private medical insurance, I just got covered for a year for 200zl through Hestia.

If you are traveling in Europe for a year the card is issued and valid for a whole year anywhere in Europe.

You spend a week end in Rome or 6 months in Ireland you take it just in case.If you are Polish and spending 3 weeks in Sapin ,same thing.

Your private medical coverage of 200zl with Hestia will only cover your medical costs in Poland .( If you break your leg when visiting Germany for 2 weeks or skiing in the French Alps, Hestia will not cover your German or French medical fees).

So my advice is to get the European Health Insurance card if possible .( The only problem is the EU bureaucracy!)

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Oct 26, 11, 19:54 #5
LwowskaKrakow: The only problem is the EU bureaucracy it takes five minutes to get the card, which is issued on the spot. the problem is the length of the queue beforehand.

LwowskaKrakowThreads: 49 Posts: 504 Joined: Mar 9, 07 MEMBER ♀	Oct 26, 11, 19:58 #6
I dont know if there is a queue beforehand or not but a queue should not be a problem for Poles .lol None of my Polish friends had it and they do travel for their holiday in places like Greece Italy Spain etc so i strongly recommended them to get the card especially to the sporty ones.

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Oct 26, 11, 20:10 #7
LwowskaKrakow: i strongly recommended them to get the card the only cost is time, but it could save a fortune. yes, folk should have one, LK

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Oct 26, 11, 22:47 #8

Wroclaw:

it takes five minutes to get the card, which is issued on the spot. the problem is the length of the queue beforehand.

I think you'll find the bureaucracy involved in getting one of those out of Poland is an absolute nightmare, the gov is more than aware what it is and how much it could cost them. Ahh i managed to find the link: http://www.britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/12/european-health-insurance- cards-ehic/

How to apply for an EKUZ card

As I am sure you have come to expect by now, getting an EKUZ is not as simple as an online form as with the EHIC. In fact it is a real joke. This Polish article says that the NFZ make it deliberately difficult to get the card because the cost of treatment for them is much more expensive than the cost of treating people in Poland. First you have to fill out this form. Then you have to send a number of attachments to prove you are entitled to the card. Then deliver it either in person, by fax or by post to the NFZ office where you live. You can find a list of NFZ offices here. The biggest joke is that the card is only valid for 2 months and it can take you a month to successfully complete the application (if you are doing it by post and have to make ‘corrections’ as usual)

♂

Oct 27, 11, 00:47 #9

LwowskaKrakow:

If you are traveling in Europe for a year the card is issued and valid for a whole year anywhere in Europe.

Your private medical coverage of 200zl with Hestia will only cover your medical costs in Poland .
So my advice is to get the European Health Insurance card if possible .( The only problem is the EU bureaucracy!)

Lwowskakrakow, you do not know what you are talking about. For the second time.

Anyway, the EHIC, as issued by Poland, is valid for a maximum of 2 MONTHS. Other countries issue the card for longer, but Poland for 2 months. Let me say that again, 2 MONTHS. And most of the time they'll only issue it to you for the length of your trip. And its only valid under certain conditions, ie, traveling for pleasure or when looking for work. The second you find a job or "reside permanently" in some place you lose it.

And with regards to the insurance I bought and which you know so much better than me, no, you are incorrect. My travel medical insurance is valid anywhere in the EU and covers the same thing the EHIC does, including skiing accidents, just far better. I have a hotline I call and they tell me what to do and where to go. Used it twice, no complaints. You are confusing it with standard private health insurance, which uh... costs a lot more than 200zl a year.

My advice is to NOT get the EHIC/EKUZ because its a waste of your time. But oh yea, being Polish means I love to stand in queues since I have plenty of time to waste, thats directly quoting you btw.

LwowskaKrakow:

I dont know if there is a queue beforehand or not but a queue should not be a problem for Poles .lol

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Oct 27, 11, 00:49 #10

dont know how much help this will be because i am english and maybe other eu countries have different rules. the european health insurance card (ehic) is free in england, but beware of many websites that will try and charge you for it.if you are a uk resident, it is valid for 5 years. this is a fact because i renewed mine along with my passport in may. if you are resident in england it entitles you to basic medical care within the eu, ale uwaga...basic medical care will vary from country to country.what it basically means is you will probably be ok if for example you break your leg, but not if you have a heart attack! definitely worth having, but if you are thinking of going skiing for example,take out travel insurance. you cant get it instantly either. renewed mine on line, and got it within a week, but sometimes it takes longer depending on time of year and how busy offices are. hope this helps

WroclawThreads: 77 Posts: 7,404 Joined: Apr 1, 06 ♂ [Moderator]	Oct 27, 11, 01:13 #11
the card is valid for: 6 months for working folk 5 yrs for retired folk 2 months for recent unemployed there are various rules etc, which go with the above.

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Oct 27, 11, 23:30 #12

Thanks Wroclaw, the lady at the NFZ window said it was valid for a maximum of 2 months, so she was wrong. Nonetheless, my card was validated only for the 15 days I was going to be abroad. Still a waste of time getting it. I had to go to the ZUS office 3 times, in the place were I had my zameldowanie. I, unlike others, value my time and it just wasnt worth it, considering the lack of full coverage.

No surprise that Lwowksakrakow is not responding.

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Oct 29, 11, 19:28 #13

If Wroclaw tells you that the NFZ lady was wrong than you say thank you Wroclaw and you admit your mistake. Lol

I never wrote that the European Health Insurance card was valid forever and that it repalces any existing european health system.Because it does not and is not meant to replace our own country specific health insurance card.

I said It worked when you travel abroad for a definite period of time (holiday, seminar, meetings ) and that it is free for Europeans ,that's all.

If it takes time to get it in Poland for Poles who are interested it is regrettable but still each person can decide for himself it is worth His/her wasting time or not.

Your private system may be better and cheap but there are people who can't afford even 200 zl a year so it is up to them to choose something free or something cheap.

♂

Oct 29, 11, 21:12 #14

It is free in the UK and for 5 yrs as a previous poster posted and if your Polish in the UK with a NI number you can get one, my Polish girlfriend has a UK one.

My mum was over in Poland in the summer with the girlfriend and had a bad reactions to mossie bites and the Dr in the A&E wasn't for doing anything until she produced the card then they couldn't do enough.

No wonder it's all charged back to the UK you can just imagine, probably paid for a good holiday for him and the family.

Apply online on the official website.

rozumiemnicThreads: 4 Posts: 1,020 Joined: Nov 16, 09 ♀	Oct 29, 11, 21:35 #15
McFly: My mum was over in Poland in the summer with the girlfriend and had a bad reactions to mossie bites just the same happened to my kid and he ended up with very good treatment and a bill for 1500 zlots, well I was not there but all I had to do was fax the details of his EHIC card to the hospital and the bill disappeared....so there you go. Ideally get EHIC and private insurance I suppose.

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