Rural Hungary

The UK clearly states that:
You will need to apply for form S1. You also need to prove that you have worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions up to three years before your departure.

and

When the cover on the S1 (or E106) expires, you cannot get any further medical cover from the UK until you receive a UK state pension. It is up to the country’s authorities to decided whether you are eligible to join their healthcare scheme.

So as far as the UK are concerned, when your S1 runs out, you are dependant on the Hungarian system. Usually, you have to pay into this until you receive your state pension. Regards Peters case, unless there is written legislation stating that all EU nationals receiving "any" pension are eligible for free Hungarian health care - and it might well be that this is so, it is possible that, for a variety of reasons, the pension was mistakenly believed to be a state pension, I'm sure Peter will point you in the right direction if the former.
As I said, different office, different staff and it could be a different scenario.

judybaby

Think I'll go to Peters office then!

My pension is not big enough to be taxed (unfortunately).

I'll see what happens next year when my S1 runs out.

vorsman

First off 6000huf a month for full healthcare is the bargain of the century so if you are not old enough to transfer to the NHS here go for it.

Second when you do transfer you have to send your EHIC card back to a special address in the UK and they will issue you a new one. The difference is that this is valid in the UK (your are not on the NHS any more) but not valid in Hungary because you are on the NHS here.

As to transferring I was receiving treatment on the EHIC and then had to go to a specialist unit. Not to bore anyone but they did not take EHIC as they were a part of a University. I phoned Newcastle who faxed the appropriate transfer forms, went in the next day to the office, the girl checked with the consultant and issued me a TAJ card there and then although she should not have on faxed copies. This was done on my promise to bring in the originals of the forms when I got them.Next day in for treatment. You cannot argue with that and it makes a brilliant change from the usual levels of customer service you tend to get here.

Rural Hungary

To avoid any confusion, once on the Hungarian system, it is Hungary that issues your European health card.

I'm assuming from what you have written that the unit you attended was part of a university hospital? If this is so, they should have accepted your EHIC card. Sometimes, they themselves are unaware of the regulations and you need to stand your ground.

If living in Hungary permanently, it is worth registering wit the health system though the quality of care and facilities can vary from area to area. Best asking the locals, they are a wealth of knowledge and will soon inform you of where to avoid.....

fidobsa

I'm hoping to finally get this sorted next week, as I should be hosting a Hungarian volunteer.

Rural Hungary

Have you been resident for 12 months now Fib? Either way, it's a fairly quick and painless procedure, good luck with it

fidobsa

Yes, card issued 29 December 2011.

vorsman

Hi Rural Hungary,

Sorry you are incorrect it is the UK that gives you a new EHIC card as per my comments. This simplifies billing in the rest of the EU as otherwise, say, Spain would invoice Hungary who would then invoice the UK if Hungary issued you with an EHIC.

Hungary obviously issues the TAJ card.

The university in question is not a hospital but has specialised facilities that it contracts to the Hungarian NHS. As such it does not have a European hospital id number and cannot reclaim EHIC generated costs directly itself. In this case it was not a question of standing ones ground that was the position.

Rural Hungary

It's only issued from the UK if you are in receipt of a pension, if you are paying 6,000ft into the system here then you are obviously not in receipt of a pension and therefore your EHIC card is issued in Hungary.

vorsman

Apologies assumed you meant under all circumstances.

Rural Hungary

No problem, I was assuming you meant those paying into the Hungarian system as your second point led on from the first. These things happen with the written word.

cathyg

For everybody's info. Went to Health office in Veszprem this morning. Very impressed, they wanted passport, registration card, address card and the forms S1 which I applied for before we left the UK. They filled out the hungarian application form for us and we signed and that was it. We were there for a total of 11 minutes health cards will follow in the post.

Just have to register with the local doctor now, I believe he speaks some English so hopefully that will be ok.
I have to say that we have been very happy with the official departments in Veszprem, they couldn't have been more helpful.

Pollypaprika

What happens if you have not got an S1?

Thanks

Rural Hungary

You have to send off to the UK for one though if you have been resident for a year, you shouldn't need one.

Pollypaprika

Thanks Rural. I just scrolled up and saw you had already stated that. Apologies...me being lazy :-)