16/08/2004

New Euro health insurance proposals unveiled

Proposals for the UK-wide introduction of the new European health insurance card have been published today by the Department of Health.

The new health insurance card will replace the current 'E-forms', in particular the E111, which are used by European citizens to prove their entitlement to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment during temporary stays in other European countries.

The proposals will see the replacement of existing E-forms but the same entitlements will remain. The card will be free of charge and valid for up to five years.

It will also be easier to apply for the new card with applications possible via telephone, internet, and email. The new card will be administered by the Prescription Pricing Authority who will be responsible for processing applications and distributing cards.

From 1 June 2004, 13 European countries began introducing the European health insurance card. The remaining 16 countries including the UK are committed to introducing the new card by December 2005. An extra 18 months was granted to these countries as they did not have existing national health card systems which could be adapted to the new European model.

Proposals for a new smart NHS card in England will be developed as part of the European Health Insurance Card. The Department of Health will consult further on these proposals in due course.

The consultation published today will run to September 28.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 August 2013
Customers To Be Reimbursed Following Mis-Sold CPP Card Protection
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reached an agreement with Card Protection Plan Limited (CPP) and 13 high street banks and credit card issuers, that will pave the way for redress to be paid to customers who were mis-sold CPP's Card Protection and Identity Protection policies.
08 October 2003
M&S backtracks over &More credit card after OFT probe
Marks and Spencer Financial Services (MSFS) has changed the way it will offer to replace its store cards by the &More credit card after action by the Office of Fair Trading. MSFS had sent out letters to many card holders saying that its store card would automatically be replaced by the &More credit card unless card holders objected.
02 October 2003
UK roll out for credit card security scheme
A new credit card security programme is set to be rolled out across the UK, the Chip and PIN Programme revealed today. Confirmation of the rollout and release of the plans follow a successful chip and PIN trial this summer in Northampton. The first chip and PIN cards outside Northampton will hit streets around the UK this month.
10 November 2003
Watchdog issues advice on avoiding credit card fraud
The UK credit card watchdog has launched a new initiative to help protect shoppers and retailers from fraudulent phone, fax, internet credit card use as 'card not present' mail order fraud now costs £110 million-a-year.
12 March 2015
Renewed Appeal For Information On 1999 Disappearance
Police have renewed an appeal for information on the disappearance of Bruce Gapper almost 16 years ago. Mr Gapper, from Dewsbury, was reported missing on 16 March, 1999. He was 40-years-old at the time of his disappearance. Police said they believe Mr Gapper was murdered.