Political turmoil within the UK continued to grow after the fallout from the 2016 Brexit vote. The new closing date for the UK to leave the European Union on 31 October 2019 appears as politically important as its miles practically unachievable.
The desire to avoid a chaotic go out is going part of the way to explaining why, 3 years after the referendum occurred, the United Kingdom has nonetheless now not left the EU. However, plainly the political panorama may also imply that is exactly what occurs on the stop of October.
The instant concerns
It’s probably that, if Britain sincerely drops out of the EU, the most on the spot troubles will no longer most effective relate to trade. As nicely as questions over what happens to cell telephone roaming expenses and whether or not UK airlines can fly over mainland EU, a 3rd immediate difficulty could be: are British residents nevertheless protected for clinical issues under the European Health Insurance Card?
In February, the UK Government made it clear that, on the occasion of a no-deal Brexit, EHICs could now not be valid. Anyone visiting the EU might need to buy tour insurance as a substitute. In many cases, this could be simpler said than carried out. One of the outstanding benefits of EHIC is that it covers pre-present medical situations – together with chronic situations – as well as emergency care. It is unlikely that the common tour insurer can be beneficial enough to cowl the chance associated with those situations and not use an adjustment in top-class to reflect the capability of indemnity danger.
An issue of addiction
Equally regarding can be the questions of whose obligation it will be to inform human beings they may now not be covered via EHIC and need to shop for coverage, especially if Brexit deal negotiations visit the ultimate minute, however, then damage down.
The Office of National Statistics affords data on Britons’ journey overseas. In 2017, Britons made almost 50 million visits outside of the UK. Of the 10 maximum famous countries for Britons to travel to, the most effective one is outdoor the EU (the US). In general, much less than 7% of trips overseas had been outside the EU.
This results in a similar cultural issue. There is the possibility to be a huge variety of people who have depended on EHIC to offer scientific cowl overseas and have both bought fundamental travel insurance or are no longer troubled in any respect.
Solving a primary headache
The potential withdrawal of EHIC provision will increase the likelihood that, come November, Britons journeying overseas will both have no get entry to scientific assistance in the EU or could be clocking up huge unexpected scientific payments. This is exacerbated by the truth that, for lots of faculties, the half-time period does not cease till November 2019. It’s absolutely possible that families could travel to the EU with an EHIC cowl that ends for their vacation duration.
Within the timescales, the simplest radical motion can mitigate this. I might advise a government-subsidized internet site, subsidized with the aid of primary journey insurers, permitting all people visiting the EU after 31 October to publish a list of pre-current conditions that could be protected beneath EHIC. Insurers should then bid towards every different to cowl conditions at an affordable, aggressive fee, with the authorities underwriting any excess hazard.
Backed with the aid of an exposure marketing campaign to cutting-edge EHIC customers, this could offer a powerful answer for clients, handing over ongoing cover at present tiers. Insurers might have the possibility to win new business, with the guarantee of government backing ought to anything cross wrong. The government would avoid the danger of its residents being in jeopardy overseas while not providing each person blanket cover for every eventuality, which is probably to be the case if not anything modifications.
The technology, by the way, is to be had these days. Companies are already using digital to allow customers to list pre-existing situations; insurers can then speedy remarks to customers whether or not these are relevant to cowl or now not, supplying reassurance and desire to the consumer.
There are many complex results in the decision to depart the EU. The consequences of EHIC withdrawal is simplest one. However, it’s far both crucial and fixable.
