ECIC - Is this really worth having? Any good in the South?

Need to know where to find an English speaking Dentist or Doctor in North Cyprus? Find out about members' medical experiences within the TRNC. Ask questions...

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suehowlittle
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ECIC - Is this really worth having? Any good in the South?

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Post by suehowlittle »

When I read the scope of the ECIC it says reduced medical care of sometimes for free!

Is there any point in having the card?

Has anyone used one in the South?

Really would like to know of anyone's experience when using one.

suehowlittle
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Re: ECIC - Is this really worth having? Any good in the Sout

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Post by suehowlittle »

Does no-one know anything about this?

Deniz1
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Re: ECIC - Is this really worth having? Any good in the Sout

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Post by Deniz1 »

A friend had one and we went to a hospital there all was ok until they saw a trnc stamp in his passport they said he would have to pay for his treatment as he lived in the north.

laptawrinkly
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Re: ECIC - Is this really worth having? Any good in the Sout

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Post by laptawrinkly »

Firstly, please don't shoot the messenger!

If you reside outside the UK (having a residency permit north or south or any other country, suggests you are not 'ordinarily resident in the UK) you are not generally able to use a UK issued EHIC card (some exceptions regarding UK Pensioners in an EU country, and those on other benefits). Access to UK NHS system is residency based, and not on the amount of contributions you have paid - bloody annoying I know. This also means Brits going home to visit family, who are not ordinarily resident in the UK, cannot use the NHS except for emergency treatment. This also includes GP services! Maintaining a property in the UK does not automatically equate to 'ordinarily' resident in the UK. Beware this definition is not the same for UK tax residency - yet another criteria!!!

In the south UK state pensioners 'legally resident' with a residency permit & registering their S1 form with the south MOH, get equivalent free treatment a Cyprus pensioner gets. As we are all aware, the EU acquis (EU rules) are suspended with regard to the TRNC/North Cyprus. This means that UK state pensioner resident in the TRNC is not covered by the EU scheme. Crossing from the TRNC as a resident here and using your UK EHIC card in the south leaves you, at the lower end, at risk of a large bill and potentially action from the UK NHS for fraudulent use of the EHIC. Tourists seem to be OK, but if you flew in/out Ercan, you will get the usual 'you entered through an illegal port' hard time, etc.

Last year there the UK NHS undertook consultancy to get ideas how to make the system fairer for those who have paid in all their lives, and those that still do. One idea proposed, was after 7 years NI payments, you would have permanent access to the UK NHS: this seems fairer than any 'tom, dick & harry' getting UK NHS care from day one (residency eligible), but paid sod all into the system!

See http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare ... -ehic.aspx

"The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once you have moved permanently away from the UK you are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules."

Read more information about moving abroad http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcare ... ction.aspx.

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