Press Release:European Health Insurance Card: almost 200 million Europeans already carry one

Almost 200 million Europeans already have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), according to the latest figures available for 2013. This represents more than half of the insured population in the European Union. The number of EHIC holders steadily increased, with 8 million more citizens carrying it in 2013 compared to the previous year (+4%).

The EHIC, available free of charge, confirms that a person is entitled to receive medical treatment that becomes necessary on a temporary stay abroad from the host country's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of that country. The EHIC cannot be used to cover planned medical treatment in another country.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Patients' Rights Day: 10 benefits the EU brings to patients http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-european-patients-rights-day-10-benefits-the-eu-brings-to-patients-2/

ESO: Background information: European Health Insurance Card http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-european-health-insurance-card/

ESO: Background information: Holiday season: useful tips for a worry-free summer http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-holiday-season-useful-tips-for-a-worry-free-summer-2/

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