The feasibility study on the introduction of the European Health Insurance Card and its impact on public finances was supplemented with statistical data last year, and among the main challenges on the path to establishing this important document is the digitalization of the process.
In its latest progress report on Montenegro in November last year, the European Commission noted that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was recognized by the Law on Compulsory Health Insurance and that the state should prepare a feasibility study on public finances by the end of 2025. This document will be introduced only after Montenegro joins the European Union (EU).
The Health Insurance Fund told "Vijesti" that the study was prepared in 2019 and updated in 2024, and supplemented with certain statistical data in 2025.
“This document provides certain recommendations regarding the implementation of the European Health Insurance Card for the Fund’s insured persons. The recommendations relate to the method of issuing the card, its validity period, the need to conduct training for officials who will issue the card in practice…”, the responses state. The Ministry of Health did not respond to “Vijesti”’s questions regarding preparations for the introduction of this document.
The European Health Insurance Card is valid in a total of 31 European countries, including all European Union members, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The biggest benefit of this card is access to emergency healthcare, treatment of sudden illnesses, injuries or exacerbations of chronic conditions. Costs are covered in accordance with the rules of the domestic healthcare system, which often means free services or minimal co-payments. The card is easy to use - just show it at a public healthcare facility.
According to information from the European Commission website, the European card is not a substitute for travel insurance and does not cover planned medical procedures, private clinics, or the costs of returning to your home country.
The European Health Insurance Card was introduced in 2004 in response to the increasing mobility of citizens within Europe. Before its introduction, complex paper forms were used, which often made it difficult to exercise the right to healthcare. The aim of the card was to simplify the procedure, reduce administration and ensure equal treatment of insured persons in European healthcare systems.
The Fund explained that back in 2017, they adopted the Regulation on the European Health Insurance Card, which will be applied from the date of entry into the EU.
When asked about the activities they have carried out so far, the Fund said that in previous years they have worked on strengthening administrative capacities, so that regional units and branches of the institution can provide services to card users from EU member states without any hindrance. An Agreement on the Use of the Card is already in force with these countries.
"The process of implementing the European Health Insurance Card is accompanied by challenges that require a strategic and coordinated approach. The digitalization of the process remains one of the most complex tasks, as it involves the development and integration of advanced IT systems for data exchange between institutions, while ensuring information security and easy access for users," the Fund responded.
The institution explained that the card is issued by the country where the person is insured and is valid throughout the EU. This document, they claim, will replace the bilingual forms currently issued to Fund insured persons during their stay in countries with which Montenegro has signed social security agreements.
They explained that the regulation defines that the card is issued for a period of one year, and during its validity, insured persons can exercise the right to emergency health care during a temporary stay in the EU territory.
"This represents a special benefit for our policyholders who are more frequent, who travel and reside in different EU member states more often, because they will not have to obtain forms for each country individually, as is currently the case, but will instead have a card with a specific validity period. The card's validity period can be extended and the card will be issued at the request of the policyholder," the Fund's response reads.
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