If you are a doctor or a patient who travels or works in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you may have heard of Formular 80 and 81. These were the forms that you had to fill out and sign when you received or provided medical treatment in another country. However, since July 2017, these forms have been replaced by a new Patient Declaration Form and a copy of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). In this article, we will explain what these changes mean for you and how to use the new forms correctly.
Healthcare is one of the most important aspects of living and working in another country. Whether you are a tourist, a student, a worker or a retiree, you want to make sure that you have access to quality and affordable medical care when you need it. That is why the EU, the EEA and Switzerland have established agreements that allow their citizens to receive or provide healthcare services across borders. These agreements are based on the principle of social security coordination, which means that each country covers the costs of healthcare for its own insured persons, regardless of where they receive treatment.
Formular 80 and 81 were the forms that doctors and patients had to use when they provided or received medical treatment in another country within the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. Formular 80 was used by doctors to confirm that they had treated a patient who had a valid EHIC or GHIC. Formular 81 was used by patients to declare that they were insured in another country and that they had presented their EHIC or GHIC to the doctor. These forms were used to facilitate the reimbursement of healthcare costs between countries.
The main reason for changing Formular 80 and 81 was to simplify the procedure for patients and doctors and to reduce the administrative burden and costs. The new forms are shorter, easier to fill out and more user-friendly. They also improve data protection and security by reducing the amount of personal information that is exchanged between countries.
The new forms are:
The procedure for using the new forms is very simple:
The new forms are available for download from the websites of the national health authorities or the European Commission. You can also find them in different languages and formats here: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=en
The new Patient Declaration Form and EHIC/GHIC copy have several advantages over the old Formular 80 and 81. Here are some of the main benefits:
The new forms are shorter and easier to fill out and sign. They only require basic information and do not ask for unnecessary details. They also eliminate the need for stamps, seals or signatures from the competent institutions. This makes the procedure faster and more convenient for both patients and doctors.
The new forms reduce the amount of paperwork and bureaucracy involved in cross-border healthcare. They also save time and money for both patients and doctors, as they do not have to pay for postage, printing or scanning. They also facilitate the electronic exchange of data between countries, which improves efficiency and accuracy.
The new forms enhance the protection and security of personal data by reducing the amount of information that is exchanged between countries. They also use barcodes and encryption to prevent fraud and misuse. They also comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets high standards for data privacy and rights.
Despite the benefits of the new forms, there are also some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. Here are some of the main issues:
The new forms are available in different languages, but they may not cover all the possible variations and dialects that exist in Europe. They may also use terms or concepts that are unfamiliar or confusing to some patients or doctors. For example, some countries may have different definitions or classifications of medical specialties, treatments or diagnoses. This may lead to misunderstandings or errors when filling out or reading the forms.
The new forms rely on technology to function properly, but technology is not always reliable or accessible. There may be technical issues or compatibility problems that prevent patients or doctors from downloading, printing, scanning or sending the forms. For example, some devices may not support certain formats or features of the forms, such as barcodes or encryption. There may also be network failures or power outages that disrupt the communication between countries.
The new forms are based on the existing agreements and regulations that govern cross-border healthcare in Europe, but these may not cover all the possible scenarios or situations that may arise. There may be legal uncertainties or disputes that affect the validity or enforceability of the forms. For example, some countries may have different rules or requirements for accepting or processing the forms, such as deadlines, fees or evidence. There may also be conflicts or contradictions between national laws and European laws that affect the rights and obligations of patients or doctors.
Cross-border healthcare is a valuable opportunity for patients and doctors in Europe, but it also involves some challenges and complexities. The new Patient Declaration Form and EHIC/GHIC copy are designed to make this process easier and more efficient, but they also have some limitations and drawbacks. Therefore, it is important to be informed and prepared before using them.
In this article, we have explained:
Here are some recommendations and advice for patients and doctors who want to use the new forms:
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the new forms:
A: You can download and print the Patient Declaration Form from the website of your national health authority or the European Commission. You can also find it in different languages and formats here: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=en. You can get a copy of your EHIC or GHIC from your national health insurance provider or online here: https://www.ehic.ie/ or here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/.
A: Yes, you need to fill out and sign a new Patient Declaration Form every time you receive medical treatment in another country. You also need to present your EHIC or GHIC every time and ask the doctor to make a copy of it.
A: If you lose or damage your EHIC or GHIC, you should contact your national health insurance provider as soon as possible and request a replacement. You should also report the loss or damage to the competent institution in the country where you received medical treatment. In some cases, you may be able to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) that can be used instead of your EHIC or GHIC until you receive a new one.
A: If you forget or fail to fill out or sign the Patient Declaration Form, you may face some difficulties or delays in getting reimbursed for your healthcare costs. You may also be liable for any penalties or fines that apply in the country where you received medical treatment. Therefore, it is important to remember and follow the procedure correctly.
A: If you have a complaint or a dispute about the new forms, you should first try to resolve it with the doctor or the competent institution in the country where you received medical treatment. If that does not work, you can contact your national health authority or the European Commission for assistance. You can also use the SOLVIT network, which is an online service that helps citizens and businesses solve problems related to cross-border issues in Europe. You can find more information about SOLVIT here: https://ec.europa.eu/solvit/index_en.htm.
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