How to be covered in the event of hospitalization abroad?

How to be covered in the event of hospitalization abroad?
Hospitalization abroad A visit to the hospital is never a piece of cake, especially when you are not in your home country. In addition to your health concerns, you will also need to worry about the cost of your care, which can be very high in some parts of the world. So, how can you be well reimbursed during hospitalization abroad?

Hospitalization abroad in the European Union

It shouldn't have been part of your tourist itinerary, but a small accident prompts you to visit the hospital in Madrid or even Berlin while on vacation. If you have been planning ahead, you may have applied for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before your departure, which works in all member states of the European Union and the European Economic Area as well as in Switzerland. . Learn more about the role of Social Security abroad.

Depending on the legislation in force in the country of stay, by presenting this card to the hospital you may not have to pay your medical expenses. However, it is also possible that you will have to advance the costs and then request a refund once you return to France by filling out form S3125. Your request will then be processed by French Social Security, and possibly reimbursed. In this form, you will be asked to choose between coverage calculated on the basis of French Social Security rates, or those in force in the State of stay. In either case, even if the process is successful, your reimbursement does not necessarily correspond to your actual expenses.

Obtaining the European Health Insurance Card is therefore a good reflex before going on vacation in the European Union, because it can be very useful. However, in some cases, it will not spare you a long and complicated administrative process, without any certainty that your care will be fully covered. To travel in Europe with peace of mind, we therefore recommend that you purchase travel insurance from your broker.

Hospitalization abroad outside the European Union

A sprained ankle while visiting national parks in the United States or a monkey bite in Asia, and here you are in a hospital halfway around the world. The situation is quite complicated if you haven't thought about insurance, because French Social Security has no obligation to pay for your care. This is clearly indicated on the Améli.fr site:

When you go on vacation abroad, to a country outside the European Union / European Economic Area (EU / EEA) and Switzerland, only urgent and unforeseen medical care may possibly be covered by your health insurance fund. when you return to France […] Note: this is a possibility, not an obligation. (Source)

As soon as you cross the borders of the European Union, it is therefore wiser to take out travel insurance that will cover your care from the first euro spent, regardless of the French or local social security system.

Hospitalization abroad and credit card travel insurance

If you pay for your plane tickets with your credit card, you can benefit from travel insurance included in your payment method. However, depending on the cards and the banks, it is advisable to pay attention to certain points, such as the limited duration of the trip (90 days), the fairly low coverage ceiling (between € 10 and € 12,000 against € 150,000 for insurance private trip). Above all, most credit card travel insurance only offers an advance for hospitalization costs and not reimbursement, which is a big game-changer. Find out more about credit card travel insurance.

Hospitalization abroad and private travel insurance

You will understand that taking out private travel insurance is the solution allowing you to travel with peace of mind, in Europe and around the world. With Globe Partner travel insurance, your care is taken care of from the first euro spent, with no excess or waiting period. In the event of hospitalization, two scenarios are possible:

Hospital stay in less than 24 hours: if you spend a few hours in the emergency department for a small incident, you will have to advance the costs by paying the hospital, and keep all the medical documents in your possession to make a request reimbursement. This request can be made by email (for requests under 300 €) or by post. A single process, a single contact without any intermediary, it's quick and easy! Treatment reimbursed is 100%, directly to your bank account.