People visiting the Isle of Man this year to enjoy the road races are being reminded to ensure they have adequate travel insurance in place.
In the majority of cases, visitors from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who require health and care support during their stay will be covered for most (if not all) costs they incur under the reciprocal healthcare agreement in place between the Isle of Man and the UK.
However, visitors who travel to the island from countries outside of the UK are unlikely to be covered by a reciprocal health agreement.
They are generally only entitled to urgent and emergency services free of charge, in line with the provisions of the NHS (Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011.
Be Insured
All other services, including admission into hospital following treatment in the emergency department, medicines and diagnostic tests must be paid for.
If admitted to hospital on the island, all overseas visitors will be expected to provide insurance details or pay for any medical bills prior to their discharge.
Oliver Radford, Manx Care’s Executive Director of Health Services, said: “We will always provide treatment that is immediately necessary or urgent – for example for someone involved in a road accident or who suffers a medical episode – to those who need it.
“We want to reassure you that insurance queries will never delay or prevent immediately necessary or urgent treatment being given.”
Travel Insurance
He added: “However, we urge all visitors, including those from the UK, to ensure that you do have an appropriate level of travel insurance in place for visiting the Isle of Man.
“The reciprocal healthcare agreement does not cover all eventualities, which could be very costly if you become ill and require healthcare support, and even more costly if you have no insurance in place at all.
“Please also remember to pack enough of your prescription medication and any other forms of medicine, tablets or equipment. We want all visitors to enjoy TT safely, and worry-free.”
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