With the school summer holidays almost here, the Department of Health and Social Care is taking the opportunity to issue a reminder to the public on the importance of having adequate travel insurance when going off-Island; including to the UK.
All residents should have full travel insurance for any trip off-Island outside of the UK, including to the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the European Union. The Isle of Man is not part of the EU and as such the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which affords EU residents some healthcare in EU countries, does not apply and is not available to Isle of Man residents.
For trips to the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), the Isle of Man and the UK have a long standing reciprocal healthcare agreement. This means that Isle of Man residents are entitled to emergency medical treatment in the UK, free of charge. The agreement also covers UK residents visiting the Isle of Man. The agreement however does not – and never has – included medical repatriation from the UK back to the Isle of Man.
Medical repatriation by air ambulance to Noble’s Hospital could be necessary where an Isle of Man resident requiring emergency treatment in the UK has been stabilised, with the responsibility for ongoing treatment falling to the Isle of Man Government. Without adequate insurance to cover medical repatriation, the burden of payment would fall to the patient, with the Isle of Man and UK governments unable to assist financially. Medical repatriation where an air ambulance is required can be extremely expensive, costing as much as £20,000.
Member for Health Services, Dudley Butt MLC, said:
'The Department has in the past received enquiries from Isle of Man residents who have travelled overseas – to the UK and further afield – without adequate insurance. In certain cases this has resulted in actual requests for assistance. The Isle of Man Government is unable to assist financially in such instances which is why it is vital that the public understand the importance of having adequate insurance cover when they travel.'
The Department of Health and Social Care has produced a leaflet to answer some of the frequently asked questions about off-Island travel and the Isle of Man’s reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, which can be downloaded here.
