Vacation: This is what the Austrian e-card can do at home and abroad

The semester break is just around the corner. Many are drawn to the ski resorts at home and abroad, others further south. Nobody wants it and yet it can happen: the flu, another acute illness, a skiing or tobogganing accident on vacation. A reliable partner in this case is the Austrian Health Insurance Fund, which ensures that its insured persons are also cared for at their holiday destination.

Domestically, it's simple: the e-card guarantees the use of medical and related necessary services throughout Austria from all contractual partners, but also in your own local health facilities.

In most European countries, health insurance coverage is also guaranteed by the EKVK (European Health Insurance Card). It is located on the back of the e-card. The EHIC is valid throughout the EU and EEA as well as in Switzerland, the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina (in the latter three countries it must be exchanged for a valid entitlement at the responsible social security institution). This does not apply to third-country nationals if they are staying in Denmark or Switzerland.

Outside of Europe

For trips to Turkey there is still a holiday sickness certificate, which is available from your place of work or from the ÖGK. The holiday sickness certificate must be exchanged for a local health certificate with the foreign health insurance provider before medical treatment begins. Only then will medical treatment, medication or hospital stays be granted at the health insurance company’s expense. For all other travel destinations, you must pay for all medical services yourself.

If you don't want to put additional strain on your vacation budget, you should take out private travel health insurance. Many holiday services are often covered by additional offers from automobile clubs or credit card companies. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that medical repatriation from abroad is also included. Return costs (e.g. helicopter, ambulance jet or ambulance) are not covered by the ÖGK.

Important for reimbursement of costs

The ÖGK requires a detailed invoice. This should list all medical services, medications, remedies, etc. along with their individual fees. Proof of payment is also required. The costs will be reimbursed in the amount of 80 percent of the respective contract tariff (not the amount of the invoice). There can be big differences because foreign social insurance companies have different tariffs and private practitioners can freely determine the prices. Deductibles in accordance with the legal regulations of the treatment country must be borne by the patient themselves.

Anyone who has taken out private travel insurance can request confirmation of the reimbursement of costs from the ÖGK and then use this to claim the remaining costs from the private insurance company.

ambulances

The Austrian Health Insurance Fund covers the costs of necessary medical transport to the nearest, suitable treatment location. For domestic helicopter transport, the need must be clarified in advance.

In any case, a medical certificate is required that confirms the medical need for helicopter transport and is recognized by the ÖGK.