No Automatic Free Access to NHS: MediCare International Highlights Changes to the UK System for Expatriates in Europe

LONDON, July 6, 2010 - Long term health insurance in another country is an area UK expatriates
will often not have considered in any detail, particularly if they were used
to the free care available in the UK. The NHS is a residence-based healthcare
system. Therefore, once a person has moved permanently away from the UK they
are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules. However,
some overseas residents in receipt of UK State Pensions and some other
benefits may be able to access limited paid for cover under the E121 scheme
locally.

Medicare International's (www.medicare.co.uk/) own research
suggests many UK nationals who retire abroad to European countries such as
Spain think that they will be fully covered locally via what used be known as
the E111 facility. Many are still unaware that a replacement system, the
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is now in place and E111s have not been
valid for at least three years. Whilst the European Health Insurance Card
entitles short-term residents to reduced-cost and sometimes free medical
treatment in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, it
should not be seen as a replacement for proper, comprehensive health
insurance.

The retired expatriate market is therefore one which presents many
challenges for insurances companies. Medicare International (
www.medicare.co.uk/) are one of a small band of insurers who can
insure new applicants from any adult age right up to and beyond age 80 years.
Inevitably there are some limitations to the cover and in particular,
Medicare International will medically underwrite all new applicants age 65
years and above. In effect this means that pre existing conditions declared
on the medical questionnaire would be excluded from future cover.

David Pryor comments, "The retirement market is one which our experience
tells us is likely to be more sensitive to claims than the norm. This is
partly a function of age, but from a psychological perspective, if a client
is feeling unwell, they are less likely to take a risk with their health
abroad than if they were in the UK, where friends and family might be on hand
to help take care of them. In practice, this means they will probably go to
the doctor more often."

David Pryor continues, "Our advice to anyone planning overseas retirement
is to budget for some element of international health insurance, preferably
with a 24 hour assistance facility to assist with both foreign language and
of course to access to hospitals and doctors in country, because in the event
of serious ill health, they cannot normally simply return to their country of
birth and once again access the state system free of charge."

With over 25 years experience of supporting the international business
community worldwide and clients from 86 nationalities in 114 countries,
Medicare International - website www.medicare.co.uk - is a major
provider of health insurance for expats across the world.

For details of MediCare's International health insurance plans visit
www.medicare.co.uk, email medicare@medicare.co.uk or call
+44(0)20-7204-3700.

Note to Editors

MediCare International has been speaking fluent healthcare for over 25
years ensuring simple, quick access to the best health facilities for
expatriates of all nationalities living or working abroad and protection
against the costs of inpatient and outpatient medical treatment. Currently,
MediCare International has clients in 114 countries worldwide of 86 different
nationalities.

MediCare specialises in designing flexible medical insurance cover backed
up with the assurance of 24-hour emergency medical assistance for clients and
their families. Help, advice and support are only a telephone call away where
trained professionals can authorise treatment/settle bills direct with
medical facilities, or arrange medical evacuation when necessary - wherever
you are in the world. Most medical bills are refunded within 10 days, making
this one of the fastest settlement times in the industry.

MediCare International were one of the first insurers to offer genuine
chronic care costs cover, so clients with long term medication costs can rest
assured knowing they will be covered.

Cover under group plans is also available to most local nationals.
Discounted group rates start with just 3 lives and full medical history
disregarded exemptions are available on groups of 10 and over, making
Medicare one of the most competitive staff cover providers.

    For further information on MediCare International, please contact:
    Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy
    Nacelle Limited
    Tel: +44(0)20-8333-9125

For further information on MediCare International, please contact: Guy Stephenson/Jenny Duffy, Nacelle Limited, Tel: +44(0)20-8333-9125