New EU medical insurance cards will replace existing forms by June 2004
The Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament adopted only a few amendments to the European Commission’s draft Regulation on a new medical insurance card.
The introduction of a health insurance card will depend on amending existing legislation concerning social security schemes (EEC/1408/71 and EEC/574/72). Presently an EU citizen visting another Member State and needing treatment, has to complete one of the following forms : E111, E128, E110 and E119, to be able to reclaim the money from their own insurance systems. The new card will begin to replace these forms in varying stages.
From June 2004, form E111 relating to short visits and holidays will be replaced by the new card. By 2008, this card is planned to be both electronic and a complete replacement for all the above forms and will facilitate the free movement of people across the EU by streamlining administration.
During the Committee stage, MEPs adopted a report which calls for Member States to inform their citizens of the new system.
