| answer text |
<p>Under current European Union-based entitlements, the United Kingdom pays for the
healthcare costs of 180,000 UK nationals, mostly pensioners, in health systems across
the EU. There are around 50 million UK tourist visits to the EU annually; the European
Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC) is used in around 0.5% of these visits. Moreover,
approximately 50,000 posted workers are protected through the current arrangements.</p><p>The
UK Government has proposed to EU Member States that, in a no-deal scenario, we should
maintain the existing healthcare arrangements until 31 December 2020, with the aim
of minimising disruption to UK nationals’ and EU citizens’ healthcare provision. The
UK Government is working to put in place bilateral agreements with Member States to
protect existing healthcare arrangements for UK nationals beyond exit day. For UK
nationals that live in EU Member States, the UK cannot unilaterally guarantee the
continuation of current arrangements, as this depends on decisions by Member States.</p><p>EU
Member States such as Spain have made public commitments that they will enable resident
UK nationals and visitors to access healthcare in the same way they do now, and we
hope to reach such agreements with all Member States.</p><p>Although we are hopeful
that we can agree reciprocal healthcare arrangements, as a responsible Government
we have developed a multi-layered approach to minimise disruption to healthcare provision
to UK nationals currently in or travelling to the EU Member States.</p><p>The UK Government
has committed to fund healthcare for UK nationals (and others for whom the UK is responsible)
who have applied for, or are undergoing, treatments in the EU prior to and on exit
day, for up to one year, to protect the most vulnerable.</p><p>Individuals are always
responsible for ensuring they have sufficient healthcare insurance. Anyone who is
living, working or studying in EU Member States should check the country specific
guidance on GOV.UK and NHS.UK for updates.</p>
|
|
