A visit to the hospital is never a pleasure, especially when you are not in your country of origin. In addition to your health concerns, you will also need to worry about your care cost, which can be very high in some parts of the world. So, how to be well reimbursed during a hospitalization abroad?
Hospitalization abroad in the European Union
It shouldn't have been part of your tourist itinerary, but a minor accident prompts you to visit the hospital in Madrid or even Berlin during your vacation. If you have been planning, 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.
According to the legislation in force in the country of stay, you may not have to pay your medical expenses by presenting this card to the hospital. 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 based on 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.
Therefore, obtaining the European Health Insurance Card is a good reflex before going on vacation in the European Union because it can be beneficial. However, in some cases, it will not spare you a long and complicated administrative process without any certainty of complete coverage of your care. To travel in Europe with peace of mind, we, therefore, recommend that you take out travel insurance with 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 the hospital on the other side of the world. The situation is quite complicated if you have not thought about insurance because the French Social Security has no obligation to pay for your care. This is 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, if necessary, be covered by your health insurance fund. When you return to France […] Note: this is a possibility, not an obligation. As soon as you cross the European Union's borders, 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 travel insurance for the bank card
If you pay for your plane tickets with your bank 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 specific points, such as the limited duration of the trip (90 days), the reasonably low coverage ceiling (between € 10 and € 12,000 against € 150,000 for private insurance trip). Above all, most bank card travel insurance only offers an advance for costs in the event of hospitalization and not support, which is a hell of a game-changer. Find out more about bank card travel insurance.
Hospitalization abroad and private travel insurance
As you will have understood, 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 stays in less than 24 hours: if you spend a few hours in the emergency department for a minor incident, you will have to advance the costs by paying the hospital and keep all the medical documents in your possession to request reimbursement. Who can make this request 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.
- Hospitalization of more than 24 hours: If your State of health requires you to spend at least one night in the hospital, you do not have to advance the costs. All you need to do is contact our 24-hour support platform to let them know about the situation. They will then take over with the hospital to organize the direct coverage of your health costs. You don't have to spend a euro!
Medical tourism
Please note, if you are going abroad for medical purposes (scheduled hospitalization), your care will not be covered by your travel insurance. Indeed, travel for medical purposes and pre-departure ailments are excluded from most travel insurance contracts.
As you will have understood, going on vacation outside your home country without worrying about insurance exposes you to the risk of hospitalization abroad, an unfortunate situation for you and your wallet. However, simple travel insurance solutions like our Globe Traveler policy give you peace of mind. Do not hesitate to discover them on our site!
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