Regardless of whether we plan to spend a holiday abroad with our loved ones, explore Europe individually or perhaps visit family living in one of the EU countries, it is good to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with us.
EHIC is a document confirming that its holder is insured with the National Health Fund and has the right to healthcare in the European Union and in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Great Britain. It is worth having it with you and in the event of a health emergency, showing it to a doctor or hospital administration.
How to get an EHIC?
Wystarczy przed planowanym wyjazdem złożyć w odpowiednim oddziale wojewódzkim NFZ wniosek o wydanie karty. Można to zrobić osobiście lub za pośrednictwem upoważnionej osoby w oddziale, ale także wysłać przez ePUAP, faksem, pocztą zwykłą czy elektroniczną – jako wypełniony i podpisany załącznik. EKUZ wydawana jest bezpłatnie po zweryfikowaniu zgłoszenia. Jeśli zgłosimy się z wnioskiem osobiście, to otrzymamy kartę od razu na miejscu, choć trzeba pamiętać, że w czasie wakacji zwykle chętnych jest sporo i może się to wiązać z czekaniem w kolejce.
O czym warto jeszcze pamiętać?
The holder of the European Health Insurance Card enjoys the rights resulting from the legislation of a given EU/EFTA country on the same terms as its citizens with health insurance. However, since each country has different guidelines and regulations regarding health services (not all services are free, in some countries patients have to pay additional fees, so-called co-payments), it is worth familiarizing yourself with the detailed rules for using medical care in EU countries before leaving. And when you are there, if you need to use a doctor's help, it is worth making sure that he operates within the public health care system.
All information regarding documents entitling you to use free healthcare services within the European Union can be found on the website of the National Health Fund:http://www.nfz.gov.pl/dla-pacjenta/zalatw-sprawe-krok-po-kroku/jak-wyrobic-karte-ekuz/