Embargoed 00:01 14 October 2008

The Department of Health are urging all British tourists travelling in Europe this month to check the expiry date of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as millions have already expired.

Currently 28 million Britons have an EHIC, however three million expire between September 2008 and March 2009. By the end of October, nearly 1.5 million EHICs will have expired. Anyone travelling with an out-of-date EHIC is putting themselves at risk when travelling in Europe as they will not be covered for basic medical care.

The EHIC, which replaced the E111 form three years ago, entitles you to reduced cost or free state-provided healthcare in most European countries if you fall ill or have an accident whilst abroad, but only if it is in date. Recent research by the Department of Health worryingly revealed that over 52%[1] of Brits were not even aware that the EHIC has a shelf life. Paul Siddell, Overseas Healthcare Programme Manager at the Department of Health says: �Many Brits are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not checking their EHIC expiry date. If you're travelling in Europe it's vital that you carry an EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance.

If you find your EHIC is out-of-date, it is very easy to renew it online or over the phone and it will be delivered within ten days. Card holders can renew up to six months in advance of expiry so we are urging people to check their EHICs now.� To renew or obtain an EHIC, log on to www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad or call 0845 606 2030. For further information call the EHIC enquiries line on 0845 605 0707.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors 1. The E111 form is no longer valid. You will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive healthcare that becomes necessary during a visit to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. 2. The EHIC can be used to cover any necessary medical treatment due to either an accident or illness within the European Economic Area (EEA). 3. The EHIC can be used in most European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (not northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland 4. The EHIC entitles the holder to state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting and the service provided will be the same as received by a person covered by the country's 'insured' medical scheme. 5. EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. You are advised to take out comprehensive private travel insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC. Private travel insurance will cover any contribution which is not reimbursable, as well as other eventualities not covered by the EHIC. Some travel insurance policies are not valid without an EHIC (always check the terms and conditions). 6. The EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip. 7. Online applications will be delivered the quickest (within seven days), with telephone applications being delivered within ten days. 8. Breakdown of numbers of EHICs that will expire between September 2008 and March 2009.

Month Number of EHICs that will expire September 2008 731,921 October 2008 729,621 November 2008 353,306 December 2008 343,272 January 2009 369,850 February 2009 367,323 March 2009 364,312

For more information on the EHIC please email Nicola.richards@trimediauk.com or Marina.Sidaoui@trimediauk.co.uk or call 020 7027 7500