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HEALTHCARE

Brussels warns Spain over tourist healthcare

The European Commission is taking action against Spain for not accepting the European healthcare (EHIC)cards of people seeking medical treatment at public hospitals in the country's tourist zones.

Published: 30 May 2013 13:31 CEST
Brussels warns Spain over tourist healthcare
EU citizens on holiday in Spain and carrying a Eureopan Health Insurance Card (above) are entitled to the same standard of care as Spanish citizens. Photo: UK National Health Service

The Commission has launched the procedure against Spain after some hospitals in the country for making people pay for treatments that would be free to Spaniards.

Brussels have made the move in the wake of an increasing number of complaints about the Spain's public hospitals refusing to treat people carrying an EHIC card.

Instead, some hospitals have been demanding that patients provide details of their travel insurance and a credit card.

In a statement, the Commission said it was concerned that Spain wasn't meeting its commitments under European legislation.

"Medical assistance is usually free in Spain and the European healthcare card gives people the right to to be treated under the same conditions as Spanish nationals," said the Commission in its statement.

The Commission also said that the far higher costs of private treatment were being picked up by insurance companies, or directly billed to patients

According to the Commission, the insurance sector has also stressed that most travel insurance policies do not cover private healthcare for people overseas. 

The European Commission initially took up this issue with Spanish authorities in 2010. 

Spain said it was taking measure to fight the problem but the Commission says it has continued to receive complaints.

"Both the Foreign Office and UK Department of Health are aware of issues faced by British holidaymakers in Spain when attempting to use their EHIC cards," Simon Montague, Director of Communications for the British Embassy Madrid told The Local on Monday.
 
“Visitors to Spain are encouraged to report any incidents involving EHICs to the Department of Health representatives based at the British Consulates in Alicante and Madrid," Montague said in an email.
 
"The Department of Health submits an annual report to the EU Commission reporting EHIC use and any misuse, and this includes any examples highlighted by the British public. Case studies will also be taken up with the central government in Spain."

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Emergency room visits to cost 50 francs in Switzerland

People who visit the emergency room for non-urgent treatment will now need to pay 50 francs after the Swiss government issued final approval for a rule change.

Published: 17 June 2021 11:49 CEST
An ambulance approaches Geneva University Hospital. Emergency room visits will now cost 50 francs in Switzerland. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP
An ambulance approaches Geneva University Hospital. Emergency room visits will now cost 50 francs in Switzerland. Photo: Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP

The proposal was originally developed by Zurich National Council member Thomas Weibel and received approval by the National Council in 2019. 

The Council of States on Wednesday accepted the parliamentary initiative, meaning that people who seek treatment in the emergency room for non-urgent health issues a fee of 50 francs. 

This will be introduced as a co-pay, meaning that the patients would have to pay out of their own pockets (i.e. it will not be covered by insurance). 

READ MORE: Switzerland to introduce 50 franc fee for emergency room visits

MPs argued that this measure may dissuade those who are not seriously ill from going to the emergency room and overloading the system, while also taking medical staff away from patients who need urgent help.

Opponents countered that this may discourage people from visiting hospital who actually need treatment, however the measure passed with a narrow majority. 

EXPLAINED: Everything you need to know about health insurance in Switzerland

No concrete indications were given as to what amounts to ’non-urgent’ treatment in the eyes of the law.

This is expected to be laid out by the National Council who are now charged with the responsibility of drafting the rules. 

Exemptions could apply to children and adolescents under the age of 16, patients referred to the emergency room by a doctor, and those whose treatment subsequently requires hospitalisation.

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