Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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283. To ask the Minister for Health the cost of providing European health insurance cards for the past five years; the number that have been issued over the past five years; the consequence of travelling abroad without one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7421/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under EU Regulations an insured person who becomes ill or injured while on a temporary stay in any EU/EEA member state or Switzerland may avail of emergency health care in the public health system of that state under the terms of that state’s public health system, at the cost of the state in which they are insured. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued to facilitate this process. If an insured person does not hold a current EHIC, it is possible to request a Temporary Replacement Certificate from the HSE whilst on a visit to another state. Travelling abroad without an EHIC may result in a person experiencing difficulties in accessing the services/level of care in the public health system that would have been afforded to them on production of an EHIC. It is also likely that the person would be required to pay for treatment at the time and claim for reimbursement at a later stage.

There are approximately 1.4 million persons covered by European Health Insurance Cards issued by Ireland. These cards are issued on a four year cycle. The cost of claims against Ireland arising from the application of the EHIC is in the region of €5 million per annum.