 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi, I'm not sure if this will be of interest but I thought I'd copy all SH's into an email we sent out yesterday to all our 2015/16 clients.
Of course locations will be different in other resorts but in general it's the same everywhere.
The main reason for sending out the Email was to ensure that our clients ALL have an EHIC card.
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Hi ######,
I thought it would be useful, for those who may not be used to skiing in Italy, to pass on some information about medical treatment.
Firstly – IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE GET AN EHIC CARD (they’re free) GET ONE TODAY.
Of course we all hope that you won’t need to see a doctor, but if you do there is a cheap/free way to do it and a, possibly, enormously expensive way.
If you are unfortunate enough to require medical treatment these are the options.
For minor ailments
• There are a number of chemists in Madonna and one in Folgarida.
On slope accidents
• Piste rescue in Italy is free. There will NEVER simply take you down the slopes, but rather they will ALWAYS take you to the slope-side doctor. In Madonna this in the medical center above the tunnel (the 1st stop down on the cable car to Pinzollo) and in Folgarida it is at the base of the cable car in the town center. If you are evacuated by air ambulance you will be taken to the hospital, see below.
If the doctor thinks you need extra care they will insist that you attend the medical center. In Madonna this is in the same building above the tunnel and in Folgarida it is based in Dimaro near the start of the road up to resort.
If the doctor or the medical center thinks you need to go to hospital you will be sent either to (from Madonna) to Tione Hospital or (from Folgarida) to Cles Hospital.
Let’s talk about money.
• In a chemist you will need to pay for your purchases.
• In the slope side doctor’s surgery you will need to pay a small amount (around €25 in cash or by card) to the receptionist and after that, if you need further treatment they may want to see your insurance documents.
• The same system applies to the resort medical centres. You will need to pay a small amount upfront (cash or card) and then show them your insurance. Note – if you don’t have your insurance document you will need to pay by credit card. ALWAYS carry a copy of your insurance documents.
• Hospitals are where it can get (financially) very serious. Hospitals in Italy WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR INSURANCE DOCUMENTS. They will accept either an EHIC card or a credit card and nothing else.
• EHIC cards are free.
• There is absolutely no reason what-so-ever to put yourself in a (possibly) ruinous financial position - I have seen one poor chap get a bill for his stay in Hospital (inc. air ambulances, multiple operations, etc) for €35,000 / £26,000 – as he forgot to bring his EHIC card on holiday.
If you don’t have one then you MUST get an EHIC card now and carry it with you at all times (just in case).
You can get a FREE EHIC card from this UK Gov site (you will need your national insurance number or NI number) https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/startApplication.do
If you do need have any medical attention KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS – there is a form here to help you in the case of an insurance claim:
http://www.brentaski.com/images/img_forms/ski_accident_report_form.pdf
See you soon
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Fantastically useful information, @Lisa_BrentaSki, 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Lisa_BrentaSki, when I was escorted off the hill with broken fingers last year there most definitely was a charge (at least as far as I recall) for the escorting to the medical center...(Champoluc).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Hello under a new name, I know what you mean and it can be confusing.
As an example if you are sent to from the resort doctor to the hospital in Cles in the hospital’s ambulance then this will all be added into the bill that the UK government will sort out. However if you are sent in a medical center’s ambulance (the medical center is a private company) they may either ask you to pay the full transfer fee or just a deposit after which they will claim the rest from your insurance company.
There is no state wide single system.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Lisa_BrentaSki, There was definitely a "First Aid" charge but it doesn't detail whether that was just the shared ambulance from the base station or included anything for a wee chat on the hill (I skied to the top station). Total €345.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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My understanding is that the EHIC card simply prevents you from being billed at the point of supply. You could still claim the cash back later, even without that.
I do have one, I'm just saying, the card is not a magic thing, it's just evidence that your government can be billed.
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| Quote: |
You could still claim the cash back later, even without that
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not necessarily all of it. An EHIC basically entitles you to what a citizen of that country would get.
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@philwig, you're right - you can still claim back what you're entitled to later.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Our local (very good) hospital doesn't ask for anything until after treatment. Normally have you got an EHIC card if yes can we see it, no left it at home, ok leave your home address and where you are staying in resort then send us a copy of it when you get home or just show them your insurance documents (they do except insurance here) or credit card. Lisa i think there are different rules for different regions, we are in Lombardia. In resort doctors are free when you show them your EHIC card or pay a small cash sum. But if you need a helicopter (only for head, neck or back injuries) this can be up to €60 a minute so do please have insurance and an EHIC card.
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Well timed reminder. I had an EHIC card but as I lost all my cards earlier this year, I need a new one!
Just ordered it online, couldn't have been easier.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Quote: |
if you need a helicopter (only for head, neck or back injuries) this can be up to €60 a minute so do please have insurance and an EHIC card.
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can't imagine an EHIC card gets you much of a ride in a helicopter...
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| pam w wrote: |
can't imagine an EHIC card gets you much of a ride in a helicopter... |
Unless it's a Black one 
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@pam w, Your right it doesn't but you could give it a try you never know 
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You know it makes sense.
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When I was rescued by skidoo and ambulance in selva earlier this year they were more concerned how I was going to pay the 120 euros ambulance bill than if I was ok! Had to sign something in ambulance about Paying before they'd let me out! Pity it wasn't my writing arm that wouldn't move- I suspect if it was they would have accepted a signature done with my teeth 😄
They weren't interested in anything apart from a passport- that was in the chalet!
They did give me option of long ambulance ride to hospital for free treatment or 5 min to private clinic - had established that insurance would refund private so went with that- was expecting to be able to pay on credit card- but apparently their machine was "broken" and would only release me when my partner turned up with over 600 euros cash and my passport! 😳
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Had to use the hospital for my daughter near Bormio this year. All they needed was the EHIC and her passport. Never talked about money and was able to sort her out - well plaster cast and a letter to get her on the plane - but the Italian hospital did not let us down
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Poster: A snowHead
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Another thanks for the advice and reminder to get my EHIC!!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| pam w wrote: |
| .. not necessarily all of it. An EHIC basically entitles you to what a citizen of that country would get. |
Correct: if you want to insure against private health costs in foreign places, that's a different issue.
Insurance companies seem to confuse the two things.
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FAQ
