European Health Insurance Card coverage limits and medical tourism trends

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides access to necessary medical care in public healthcare systems across the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK. However, experts warn that the card is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.

Key limitations of the EHIC include:

• It only covers clinically necessary, unplanned care in public facilities. It does not apply to private clinics. • It does not cover planned or elective medical treatments, such as traveling abroad specifically for surgery. • It does not cover repatriation costs, which can exceed 5 million CZK or several thousand euros depending on the severity and transport method. • Patients may still face high out-of-pocket expenses for hospital stays or medication, depending on the host country's specific co-payment rules.

In contrast to the limitations of the EHIC, medical tourism is a growing trend in Europe. The Czech Republic has emerged as a leading destination for high-quality ophthalmology, reproductive medicine, and plastic surgery, attracting patients from the UK, Ireland, Germany, and Nordic countries due to its balance of quality and lower costs.