Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that costs for medical care provided under the EHIC system are covered by the Government of the patient rather than by the patient or the Government of the country where the medical care was provided.

Under current European Union Regulations, other European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland reimburse the United Kingdom for the cost of the National Health Service providing treatment to people they are responsible for under EU law, including UK nationals insured in another EEA country or Switzerland. In the same way, the UK Government reimburses other EEA countries and Switzerland for the cost of providing treatment to people the UK is responsible for under EU law, irrespective of nationality. This includes coordinating the provision and payment for healthcare treatment for those travelling, working and moving around Europe.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) system gives holders the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EEA and Switzerland, either for free or at reduced cost. This entitlement is reciprocal and is available to UK, EEA and Swiss residents.

The Department informs people about the EHIC and the application process via the NHS Choices website. As a matter of course, the Department always recommends UK-insured persons secure private travel insurance to give them additional coverage for treatment and health-related services not ordinarily covered by the EHIC scheme.

The UK Government appreciates the importance of current reciprocal arrangements with the EU and has been clear that it wishes to see the existing arrangements, including the EHIC scheme, continued in the future.

I have asked officials to review any areas of abuse in the EHIC system.