Spain Reported to EU for EHIC Infractions

 

A article in Sunday's edition of the Telegraph Newspaper has reported that a number Spanish Hospitals are increasingly refusing to accept the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card from holidaymakers in need of medical treatment. It has been alleged that a number of public officials are directing those in need of attention to private hospitals, where they will be charged for treatment instead of being able to use the card, as a means of generating in income at atime when many Hospitals are seeing their funding slashed.

>> Click Here For Further Details on How to Apply for an EHIC Card as a UK Resident <<.

The problem has apparently become so widespread that the European Commission has reported that they could take action after repeated infringements of the process.

>> Click Here For Further Details on How to Apply for an EHIC Card as a Spanish Resident <<.

Tourists unfamiliar with the Spanish Healthcare system may not be aware that Hospitals and Medical Centers are split into 3 distinct groups : Private Hospitals; State Hospitals; and Privately run Hospitals working under the auspices of the state system.

>> Click Here For Further Details on Travel Insurance for Spain <<.

The latter 2 systems are obliged to accept the EHIC card and provide free healthcare, but only for "Emergency Treatment". This means that any treatment for any treatment which may not be considered "urgent", or for a pre-existing condition should be supplemented by Travel Insurance .