19/07/2011
Holiday Health Card 'Bogus' Website Warning
Holidaymakers have been warned to be aware of official looking websites - charging fees for European Health Insurance Cards - which are completely free through the NHS.
The SDLP South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell has today warned: "European Health Insurance Cards allow Northern Ireland holiday makers to access free state healthcare in all European Economic Area countries when travelling abroad.
"The cards are provided completely free of charge through the NHS but there are a number of online companies out there which suspiciously look very like the Government NHS website," he warned today.
"These online companies are charging £15 for an insurance card the Government provides for free and they appear among the top list of providers in a 'Google' engine search.
"I would urge local holiday makers to be wary of being ripped off by these official looking NHS websites.
"Holidays are expensive enough," he said, adding, "Anyone wishing to apply for a European Health Insurance Cards should visit the official NHS Choices website at
www.nhs.uk where the card is completely free."
(BMcC/GK)
The SDLP South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell has today warned: "European Health Insurance Cards allow Northern Ireland holiday makers to access free state healthcare in all European Economic Area countries when travelling abroad.
"The cards are provided completely free of charge through the NHS but there are a number of online companies out there which suspiciously look very like the Government NHS website," he warned today.
"These online companies are charging £15 for an insurance card the Government provides for free and they appear among the top list of providers in a 'Google' engine search.
"I would urge local holiday makers to be wary of being ripped off by these official looking NHS websites.
"Holidays are expensive enough," he said, adding, "Anyone wishing to apply for a European Health Insurance Cards should visit the official NHS Choices website at
www.nhs.uk where the card is completely free."
(BMcC/GK)
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