When traveling, what do I need to bring for NHS? Just in case?

When traveling, what do I need to bring for NHS?  Just in case?  Including when I travel back to the USA???

When traveling, what do I need to bring for NHS?  Just in case?  Including when I travel back to the USA???

You need travel insurance for the USA - NHS coverage won't help you there.

For European travel, apply for the EHIC. More details on the link.

You should also have travel insurance for Europe. Whilst EHIC will give you (or should) what a local will receive, that does vary and not everywhere covers to the extent of the NHS.

You should also have travel insurance for Europe. Whilst EHIC will give you (or should) what a local will receive, that does vary and not everywhere covers to the extent of the NHS.

Yes, good advice! On that link I provided, down towards the lower right where it says 'Also on NHS Choices', there are further links to 'Country-by-country guide' (for the EU) & also 'Seeking medical treatment in Europe'. These give some idea of what treatment (and costs) you could expect, depending on the country you are intending to visit.

We watched a video guide awhile back on 'money-saving travel tips' - I think it was something produced by the Guardian perhaps? Anyway, that was saying that if you're only going for a weekend, it *might* not really be cost-effective for taking out a travel insurance policy on only a day or two away (to the EU) but you definitely should for any longer than that. Of course, everyone's health & circumstances are different & you can never really plan for accidents, etc... So you pays your money & takes your chances etc. 

You should also have travel insurance for Europe. Whilst EHIC will give you (or should) what a local will receive, that does vary and not everywhere covers to the extent of the NHS.

This. Because the EHIC does not cover all things, like air transport back to the UK, if needed. Annual travel insurance should not be too costly, if you speak in person with an insurance broker about your needs. For me, it's all about the peace of mind.

It seems like I can apply for EHIC with FLR since I'm a resident in the UK...... but I keep getting stuck in a loop on the website so I can't be sure. 

Can I submit the paper application ( http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Documents/ehic-app-form.pdf ) with a copy of my BRP?

It seems like families are linked together for the EHIC.  Do I enter DH's info on the same application and should I include a copy of his passport to show he's a UKC?

It says you can only apply via paper form, as far as I can see:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

See

'How do I apply for an EHIC if I am not a UK / EEA  citizen?' 

HTH. 

TF, I've only ever applied online & think we did before I was a citizen, but procedures probably changed - you know since us immigrunts are only here for the benefits...

I've always done joint app for both DH & me together though.

HTH!

TF, I've only ever applied online & think we did before I was a citizen, but procedures probably changed - you know since us immigrunts are only here for the benefits...

I've always done joint app for both DH & me together though.

HTH!

It really does seem to have changed, because I was able to apply online as well prior to citizenship, but that was a decade plus ago.  

ETA: It seems to be part of the ever-tightening rules regarding non-EEA people. 

This. Because the EHIC does not cover all things, like air transport back to the UK, if needed. Annual travel insurance should not be too costly, if you speak in person with an insurance broker about your needs. For me, it's all about the peace of mind.

Yes, be sure to evaluate your travel plans as well. If you're only planning one big vacation in the year, it might work out cheaper to buy a single trip policy. On the other hand, if you travel numerous times through the year, then an annual policy is probably a better bet. We tend to comparison shop using a variety of tools including Which?, Money Saving Expert, Money Supermarket etc for our insurance.

Ok.  Maybe I'll just send in the paper app with a copy of my BRP to prove I'm a legal resident here and a copy of DH's passport to show he's a UKC.  At the risk of over-complicating it, maybe I'll include a short note explaining our situation. 

Ok.  Maybe I'll just send in the paper app with a copy of my BRP to prove I'm a legal resident here and a copy of DH's passport to show he's a UKC.  At the risk of over-complicating it, maybe I'll include a short note explaining our situation. 

Let us know how you get on - might be useful for people thinking of applying - happy holidaying! 

Let us know how you get on - might be useful for people thinking of applying - happy holidaying! 

Thanks MLG.    I'll report back.  We don't have any trips planned now, but it seems like it's better to do it sooner than later (or at least know what needs to be done so I'm not scrambling later on!). 

TF, the card does expire after some years - can't remember how many. We've had to renew ours once in the time I've been here (9 years) - but it had already been expired for some time, when I went to renew it so I really can't remember how long it's good for. So you'll want to keep your eye on that - I'm thinking maybe it's two years or four years maybe?

TF, the card does expire after some years - can't remember how many. We've had to renew ours once in the time I've been here (9 years) - but it had already been expired for some time, when I went to renew it so I really can't remember how long it's good for. So you'll want to keep your eye on that - I'm thinking maybe it's two years or four years maybe?

Good thought.  Just checked and they're good for 5 years.    The application and renewal are free and UKCs can apply & renew online.... we foreigners must go by post.