No health insurance, GHIC couldn't be presented at time of emergency care

[Madmog]

DD is abroad without any health insurance and relying on the fact her GHIC could cover most things (silly in retrospect, but you live and learn). However, she collapsed and ended up in intensive care. As she was unconscious, she couldn't show her GHIC, enquire about cost of care and as next of kin we weren't contacted (presume they didn't have our telephone number).

Moving forward hospital won't accept her GHIC afterwards, want to bill her or have details of her health insurance. She's emailed the GHIC department and acknowledgement says they're still dealing with emails from May. Can't get through on the telephone.

The bill will obviously need to be paid. No idea how much at the moment. What would others do? Pay it now, and take up with GHIC department and hopefully claim back a percentage, or does she will need to speak to them.

abroad where? europe I presume?
and is it s private or community run hospital?

what a worry! I hope she is better soon.

Sorry no information but I hope your daughter is in track to a full recovery. Can you google her condition for a rough idea of what costs you might be looking at?

Have you spoken to the helpline? They may have a way of reimbursing some costs if you pay.

Right, you mention the issue with GHIC so presumably your daughter is in the EU/EEA.

Was the issue because A. she was in a private clinic and had no insurance cover, or was it a public hospital which refused the valid GHIC even when she recovered and had the ability to produce it?

If a private clinic you have to pay, but there is something in the back of my mind where the NHS will refund for medical treatment abroad, so you might need to contact them about it.

If it is a GHIC issue, I would politely withold payment and ask them to set out in writing the reasons they are refusing to accept it. Surely if your daughter had a valid card and was just unable to produce it until she was feeling better, that should not be a reason to reject it. I think I would really fight hard on that one!

Many thanks. Yes, she is in the EU, community hospital. DD hasn't been able to get through on the helpline (so far), I think they're just so busy at the moment. Good point about asking them to state why they won't accept it.

Luckily, it's unlikely the medical treatment will be required again. She's feeling a little shaky but her body has obviously been through a lot.

The GHIC entitles you to the same cost treatment as locals in the 27 countries of the EU, not the extra 4 included in the EHIC scheme. So there might be some costs you're liable for as locals would be. The rest would be reclaimed. But the GHIC is still new to most hospitals so they might be unsure about the process and try to bypass it.

Glad to hear that she is recovering. If you post which country she is in it might be easier for someone to give good advice.

Thanks for your replies. She's definitely in a country which should accept it and we realise there will still be some costs payable.

Can't do much now, but I've just been in touch with her and told her to check with hospital if they've taken GHIC into account, and if not can they tell her why. She's got a whatsapp message from them today, so hoping if she replies on that, at least it'll be in some form of writing initially on both sides. Hopefully she'll know more by next week and also it'll be easier to get through to helpline (they're busy and she's with a friend and having problems with a signal).

Pay it and learn a valuable lesson on the importance of travel insurance

I think you should fight. What is their reasoning for not accepting GHIC. I had this, in Germany, wanting to charge me £1000's even though I had EHIC and private insurance aswell.

Also consider contacting the British Consular office locally for advice if necessary (not in regard to the elements that have to be paid for) but for possible support re the GHIC

That's interesting - it's Germany - not sure what the reason is. She's a young adult, so has to deal with it herself - it just good to know where she stands and have a few pointers. Really it's her problem, but she had a fight for her life, so we want to do what we can to support her as things could be so different.

I'd have never thought about the British Consular Office, so handy to know.

germany has privately run community hospitals. their financial departments are like bloodhounds...

wd had a situation with one where we went through all the ehic stuff and then later received an invoice for the treatment.

keep at them. great idea to ask to confirm in writing.
you mighg need to pay an 'eigenanteil' contribution (normal in germany), but that should be a nominal sum like 20€ a day or so)