Government pays €400,000 for treatment of Maltese on EU trips

The government has paid out about €400,000 following 700 claims from European hospitals and clinics which treated locals while abroad.

The travellers were in possession of the European Health Insurance Card, which entitles holders to the same health treatment as residents of the country they visit.

The card covers emergency treatment in public hospitals in EU countries, together with Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein.

Since the card was introduced in 2006 to replace the form E111, over 150,000 have been issued to Maltese residents.

This year alone, the Health Division's entitlement unit issued 28,000 cards, 4,600 of them between July 15 and August 14.

Although travellers will be treated in the same way as locals, and do not have to pay if medical treatment is free to local residents, it is finally the government of the travellers' country that foots the bill.

The Maltese authorities have also made a number of claims to other governments after 893 people received outpatient treatment and another 414 were admitted to hospital between 2006 and last June.

Parliamentary Secretary for health Charles Cassar warned that the card should not replace travel insurance, especially since not all countries cover all medical expenses - in some countries the patients have to co-pay for treatment.

Speaking during a press conference yesterday, Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, director general for strategy and sustainability within the Social Policy Ministry, said a number of people apply for the card at the last minute before jetting off.

"Applications should be made at least 15 working days before people go abroad," she said.

The card is valid for three years.

The card is accepted by public hospitals and clinics - the government will not foot bills for private treatment. Neither does the card cover treatment that is pre-planned.

Applications for the card can be made on www.ehealth.gov.mt by using the electronic identity card (e-ID), by downloading an application form from www.sahha.gov.mt and sending it to the Entitlement Unit, 23, St John Street, Valletta VLT1168, from local councils or from the unit itself.