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Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:09 am
by lion
Hi
When a tourist to Paphos needs access to a GP, since the introduction of Gesy, how do they access a GP?
The tourist has the current EHIC/GHIC card.
Thanks
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:30 am
by WHL
lion wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:09 am
Hi
When a tourist to Paphos needs access to a GP, since the introduction of Gesy, how do they access a GP?
The tourist has the current EHIC/GHIC card.
Thanks
Hundreds of Private GPs in private clinics they can visit.
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 1:07 pm
by trevnhil
They can use the A&E units in the hospitals if it is serious enough for that . Or they can contact their Holiday insurance company to see if they will pay for them to attend a private hospital
Or, as WHL says there are lots of private GP's they can visit for only a little money
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 1:14 pm
by ast
Local Pharmacists are very good to for the run of the mill stuff.
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:55 pm
by lion
Thanks everyone. Trying to avoid the private medical service and us the the same are residents using the their EHIC/GHIC card
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 7:38 pm
by daveg
I think EHIC is for emergency cover only...
Hence travel insurance......
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2022 10:38 pm
by WHL
lion wrote: ↑Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:55 pm
Thanks everyone. Trying to avoid the private medical service and us the the same are residents using the their EHIC/GHIC card
You said they were tourists?, now you are saying they are residents? Which one is it?
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 8:20 am
by Kili01
Perhaps worth explaining that Gesy health schene membership as far as I know is limited to Cypriots, and eligible British expats who either work here and pay social insurance, or are retired with an S1 and Cyprus residents papers.
So since Brexit its necessary for British tourists to have travel insurance. As already explained, for emergency treatment A&E at the General Hospital is available, with a payment of€10 by anyone who uses it in an emergency.
Private doctors fees are around €20-30 and there are many. Pharmacists here are well trained, many speak good English and can advise on treatment for minor ailments.
Hope this helps.
Dee
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:11 am
by jeba
Kili01 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 12, 2022 8:20 am
Perhaps worth explaining that Gesy health schene membership as far as I know is limited to Cypriots, and eligible British expats who either work here and pay social insurance, or are retired with an S1 and Cyprus residents papers.
Would it not be available in the same way to anyone who has a residence permit, no matter where they are from?
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 10:02 am
by souniman
The EHIC entitles you to the same treatment at state-run hospitals and GPs in the EU that locals are entitled to, at the same cost in Cyprus visiting a GP privately costs 25 euros.
The GHIC does the same, but despite being called a 'Global' Health Insurance Card, like the EHIC, it too only works within the EU. Neither card is a subistitute for trafvel insurance as they onlyt provide basic care. and you could run in to trouble if you need to be repatriated or need specialist care.
Hope this helps
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 10:09 am
by LouiseCastricum
quote
Perhaps worth explaining that Gesy health schene membership as far as I know is limited to Cypriots, and eligible British expats who either work here and pay social insurance, or are retired with an S1 and Cyprus residents papers.
unquote
Not just for British expats, but for everyone who either work here and pay Soc.Ins. or are retired with an S1 and residents papers.
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 11:43 am
by PhotoLady
The GHIC is for tourists requiring "necessary" healthcare which cannot wait until returning from your holiday resort:
https://faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/knowledgebase ... 6795/en-us
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 4:31 pm
by jagwheels
As a tourist my only real concern is the point souniman made. Repatriation which without medical insurance is a very expensive process but a little story. Couple visit Israel & husband dies. Officials said we can bury him here for £90 but repatriation will cost £20,000. I want him repatriated from Israel because Jesus died here & arose again
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:26 pm
by Kili01
Sorry Jeba and Louise, I was writing this addressed mainly to British tourists,.
Yes, of course your point that Gesy membership is available to all that work here in Cyprus and pay social insurance ,plus those who are retired here with an S1 and Cyprus residency papers.
Cyprus is a small place, and Gesy Doctors are mostly busy. As far as I'm aware having read UK.GOV emails relating to tourist visits to Cyprus, is that following Brexit, some things have changed. British Tourists, (non EU), were advised to take out their own travel insurance policies, which would cover them for all medical risks, and includes hospital in patient expenses and in case of need, repatriation to their own country, Most health care in Cyprus carries health service charge. Private hospital charges and repatriation are expensive or very expensive.
Dee
Re: Tourist Access To Health Service
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2022 9:31 pm
by sued51
If you’re going to another country on holiday, you buy travel insurance, it’s not expensive (I paid £6.48 for one adult and one child for a week) you are then covered - why would anyone go on holiday without it?