GHIC Card And Travel Insurance: Everything About Your GHIC Application Explained

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When living with any kind of long-term medical condition or disability, understanding healthcare coverage options is an essential part of planning a trip abroad. One key element of comprehensive travel healthcare is the Global Health Insurance Card, or GHIC.

Formerly known as the EHIC (more on this later), the GHIC covers emergency treatment and some state healthcare services at a reduced cost or even free of charge in participating countries. This card can make all the difference if you have ongoing medical needs or if you require unexpected treatment when you’re abroad.

However, the GHIC doesn’t cover everything, so knowing its limitations will spare you any unpleasant surprises – no one wants to have a holiday cut short because of improper healthcare cover!

In this article, we’ll walk you through the GHIC application process, what the card does and doesn’t cover, and how it complements travel insurance (but doesn’t replace it). We’ll also answer some common questions surrounding the GHIC, so you can set off on your next adventure with complete peace of mind.

Table Of Contents

What Is A GHIC Card And Why Do I Need One?
GHIC Cards Application Explained: How To Apply For EHIC Card or GHIC Card
GHIC vs Travel Insurance: Which One Should You Get?
GHIC And Health Conditions: Travel Advice
Summary On GHIC Application Explained
FAQ On GHIC Application Explained
Related Posts On GHIC Application Explained

What Is A GHIC Card And Why Do I Need One?

From EHIC To GHIC

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is the UK’s replacement for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – a change which happened due to Brexit. The EHIC let UK citizens access state healthcare on the same basis as a resident of that country across the EU and some other European countries such as Switzerland. The GHIC now provides similar benefits within the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as some other countries.

If you have an existing European Health Insurance Card, you can continue to use it until it expires – then once your EHIC card expiry date has passed, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. Read on for more information on applying for or renewing a European Health Insurance Card!

For those travelling with long-term medical conditions or disabilities, this card offers reassurance that healthcare access will be available during trips should an emergency occur, but it’s important to understand which services it covers.

Healthcare Cover And Limitations

The GHIC covers you for any essential state healthcare services – what these services are will depend on the country you’re visiting. It also includes emergency medical treatment and healthcare required for sudden illness or injuries, as well as routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions. It can even cover routine maternity care provided you’re not travelling with the purpose to give birth abroad.

You can use a GHIC in:

countries in the European Economic Area (EEA). This covers the current 27 European Union member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Montenegro
Australia
Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
St Helena, Tristan and Ascension

You can also use it in Switzerland, but only if you’re a:

British national
Swiss national
EU citizen
refugee or stateless person
family member of someone who fits one of the above criteria

The UK government is continuously negotiating with new countries to extend the use of the GHIC, so make sure to check coverage before you travel – more information can be found on the NHS website. It also maintains reciprocal healthcare agreements with some non-EU countries, which entitles you to treatment as if you were a resident of the country you’re visiting. Check the GOV.UK website before you travel to find out whether your destination is covered.

While the GHIC is a very useful travel tool, it’s important to be aware of its limitations, particularly for people with chronic health conditions. While the card provides cover for emergencies, it is not a full health service, and some treatments may not be available or may be very expensive to access even with the GHIC. For example, it does not cover private healthcare, elective surgery, plastic or cosmetic surgery, routine medical consultations, or the handling of more complex accidents such as mountain rescue and repatriation.

This means it’s essential to supplement your GHIC with a comprehensive travel insurance policy which fills in those gaps to guarantee you’ll be safely taken care of no matter what happens. And keep in mind that the cost of certain state-provided treatments may vary depending on the country you’re in, as the GHIC guarantees only that you will receive the same level of care as locals – this means paying for some services as they would do.

Travelling with a medical condition? Don’t forget your travel insurance!

Read all of Your Travel And Health’s articles on the topic here.

GHIC Cards Application Explained: How To Apply For EHIC Card or GHIC Card

Apply For A New GHIC

Applying for the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is free and easy! First, head to the official NHS GHIC application page – you’ll need to provide your full name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number. If you’re from Northern Ireland, you’ll also need your Health and Care number.

You’ll need to be a parent or guardian to apply on behalf of any children under 16 years old. Fill out the online application form carefully to make sure your application isn’t delayed – once completed, most GHIC cards are delivered within 10 working days. Demand for GHIC cards can often increase during peak seasons, which may cause delays – so you should apply at least a month before your trip to make sure you have time to receive your card.

We’d also advise you to keep a record of your application while waiting for your card in case of any issues. If your GHIC hasn’t arrived within the expected timeframe, you can check your application status through the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. If you need any support, you can get in touch with their customer service team either by telephone or email – just make sure you have your personal details and application confirmation at hand to make the process easier.

GHIC Provisional Replacement Certificate

In case your card is delayed and your departure date is approaching, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). The PRC is a temporary substitute for the GHIC and provides the same coverage abroad.

To get a PRC, get in touch with the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services with details of your travel dates, destination, and, if possible, the name and address of any hospitals or clinics where you might need to receive treatment for your condition should a medical issue arise. Your PRC will be sent directly to the healthcare provider treating you, this way, you’ll be able to access the necessary medical care even without your physical card.

You can also request a PRC at your destination in case of loss or theft, so keep your GHIC details handy throughout your trip!

Global Health Insurance Card Renewal Process

Much like their medical European card predecessors, GHIC cards do expire, so you’ll need to make sure your card is up to date before travelling – this is especially important for frequent travellers and those of us with ongoing medical conditions, as expired cards are not valid to receive treatment abroad.

Make a habit of checking your card’s expiry date before planning any trip – if your card has expired or if the expiry date is approaching, it’s time to renew! To renew your card, go to the official NHS GHIC website and fill out the application as explained above, just as you would for a new card.

GHIC vs Travel Insurance: Which One Should You Get?

You may be wondering: “Do I need an EHIC card, or is travel insurance enough?” For us, this isn’t an either / or situation – you need both a health insurance card (European or Global), and a thorough travel insurance policy. The GHIC makes health care in EEA countries available at a reduced rate or, in many cases, for free. This means that having a GHIC can greatly reduce or remove any up-front costs for basic or emergency treatments, which will help avoid having to make a claim with your travel insurance for minor medical issues. (And let’s face it – travel insurance claims are a headache!)

On the other hand, travel insurance covers more situations, such as private healthcare, repatriation, trip cancellations, and lost baggage. GHIC is useful in accessing state healthcare, but having travel insurance means you would be financially protected in situations GHIC doesn’t cover: if you need to be flown back to the UK, for example, or require treatment at a private clinic. Specialised insurance policies for pre-existing conditions can also ensure that your specific health needs will be covered in the event that you require unplanned medical care.

Graeme Trudgill, British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA) Chief Executive, said:

“While the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can provide some emergency medical treatment in Europe, Switzerland and Australia, it should not be regarded as full travel insurance. Consumers should be reminded that the GHIC only covers emergency medical treatment in a state facility and there are many scenarios that are not covered.

Travel insurance is as important as your suitcase because medical bills for additional non-emergency treatment or repatriation to the UK can run into thousands of pounds. All of these would not be covered by a GHIC but would likely be covered under a comprehensive travel insurance policy. It is always important to understand your cover fully either by reading the terms and conditions or asking your policy provider.

We’ve recently heard of a travel insurance claim that paid more than AUD 3,000 to cover the costs of a cremation and the repatriation of ashes to the UK that were not covered by a GHIC. Unfortunately, we do hear about such tragic events, and having travel insurance in place can provide financial support when a family needs it most.”

GHIC And Health Conditions: Travel Advice

In an emergency, contact information is always handy. Apart from carrying your GHIC, some important numbers you should always keep at hand include the local number for emergency services (112 in the European Union), the nearest hospital or clinic that accepts GHIC, including its contact number, and the contact number for the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (0300 330 1350 or +44 191 283 3909, but note call charges do apply!) You should also have your insurance provider’s 24-hour helpline number to hand since sometimes the GHIC alone cannot cover the care you may need.

We also recommend keeping a digital copy of your GHIC, insurance policy, and any other relevant medical documentation – like Your Travel And Health’s medical alert letters, which allow you to give information to foreign medical staff about your specific medical condition(s) and the best ways to care for you. And always pack extra medication in case of delays that could make you spend more time than anticipated away from home!

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Summary On GHIC Application Explained

The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you essential healthcare cover when you’re travelling, so you can get state provided care in an emergency or for ongoing health needs. Replacing the previous European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), the GHIC offers many of the same benefits, covering state level treatment in the EU and some other countries. However, it doesn’t replace comprehensive travel insurance as it doesn’t cover private healthcare, repatriation or specialist treatment. You can apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website – click here to start your application.

If you have a long term medical condition, the GHIC will give you peace of mind for emergency and routine healthcare needs abroad but you should supplement it with travel insurance for broader cover. You should always check the healthcare policies of your destination and keep emergency contact numbers as well as a digital copy of your GHIC and other important documents handy. A combination of GHIC and comprehensive travel insurance will have you fully covered for any health needs and give you the highest level of support, cover and peace of mind while abroad!

FAQ On GHIC Application Explained

Does GHIC card cover pre-existing medical conditions?

Yes, the Global Health Insurance Card covers pre-existing medical conditions – so if you have ongoing health needs, you can access state healthcare across the EEA at reduced or no cost. This includes treatment for chronic conditions, routine care and any emergency treatment related to these conditions. However, the GHIC doesn’t cover private healthcare or repatriation costs, so you should consider additional travel insurance for full cover.

How do I get a GHIC card in the UK?

You can get a GHIC in the UK for free on the NHS website. You’ll need basic info, including your full name, date of birth, address and National Insurance number (or Health and Care number if you’re from Northern Ireland). Once you’ve filled in the online form, your GHIC will arrive within 10 working days – but we’d recommend applying at least a month before you travel to allow for any delays. Click here to start your application!

How much does a GHIC cost?

It is completely free to apply for the GHIC card via the NHS website – so be wary of third party sites which are going to charge you your money to “help” you apply. To make sure you don’t incur any charges always apply directly through the NHS!

What does GHIC cover, and what are the limitations of GHIC?

The GHIC applies to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare in EEA countries – the same level of care as a local resident being treated. It covers treatment for pre-existing conditions too, and even maternity care. However, it also has a number of limitations: because your GHIC is for when the unexpected happens, it doesn’t cover private health care costs, returning you to the UK or so-called “non essential treatments”, such as elective surgery. And keep in mind you may still have to contribute towards the treatment fees depending on local healthcare policies.

Is it worth having a GHIC instead of travel insurance?

Although the GHIC is useful for state healthcare services throughout the EU, travel insurance is not replaced by it. Your GHIC only covers treatment that is necessary and can be for free but some services are not included, such as private healthcare, mountain rescue, or repatriation. You’ll be able to fill those gaps by taking out additional travel insurance, with many policies covering private costs and other expenses such as trip cancellations and lost baggage. If you have a medical condition, we would advise to use both the GHIC and travel insurance, so you can access the necessary healthcare whilst overseas and be able to recover potentially significant costs not covered by GHIC.