Medical Insurance in two EU countries?

[atkuzmanov]

Hello Everyone,

I couldn't think of a better section to post this topic, but if there is one please let me know so I ask this one to be deleted and post a new one in the correct place.

A couple of years ago, when I moved to the UK and started paying my National Insurance Contributions here.
My Health Insurance / Social Security Contributions back in my home country - Bulgaria, were automatically suspended.

I am looking to re-instate my health insurance back in my home country, so that I can see medical specialists and doctors which I am familiar and comfortable with, and so that I can get some specialised treatments when I am back home for holidays.
From my experience so far in Bulgaria, I cannot do this unless I have Medical Insurance there as well.

I do have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), however this is not the equivalent of having my Health Insurance status restored in my home country.

It seems that Bulgaria requires some kind of proof that my Medical Contributions are being paid in another EU country. Before this could have been achieved with the E104 form, but this is no longer available.

So far I have found out that here in the UK I can request an A1 Certificate or a CA8421i. I have also come across CA3916, which is a request for a statement of National Insurance Contributions. I think that all of these three result, or can result, in a S040 request which will result in a S041 response, which will terminate my National Insurance or Medical Insurance contributions in the UK. But this is something which I don't want to happen as I am settled in the UK and I intend to continue living here for the foreseeable future.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ea-ca8421i

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ons-ca3916

I also can't take it any further with the Bulgarian authorities as they will fill in and send a S040, which will have the unwanted effect of terminating my UK Medical Insurance Contributions.


Regarding this I have the following questions:

1. Is it possible to have two Medical Insurance/Social Security Insurance at the same time in two different European countries - UK and Bulgaria?

2. Is there any difference between National Insurance/Medical Insurance/Social Security, can I use these terms interchangeably?


3. Is an A1 Certificate the same as CA8421i? Can I use these terms interchangeably? If not what is the difference?

4. Do any of these - A1 Certificate, CA8421i and CA3916 result in a S040 and S041 which terminate my Medical Insurance in the UK, and how can I avoid this?

Thanks,
atkuzmanov

[atkuzmanov]

Anyone?

[Pixie_Pix_]

Hello!

Have you found the answer to your query above?
I am in exactly the same sort of situation.

Thanks!

[noajthan]

Hello Everyone,

...

Regarding this I have the following questions:

...

2. Is there any difference between National Insurance/Medical Insurance/Social Security, can I use these terms interchangeably?


...

Thanks,
atkuzmanov

2) Not sure if it helps but I would say the 3 phrases are not interchangeable.

NI is the UK state scheme that takes National Insurance contributions from citizens who then to qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

Medical Insurance is a generic term for the section of the insurance industry that provides insurance for medical cover (to mitigate the risk of certain health conditions) in exchange for the payment of premiums.

Social Security is a state system that uses public funds to provide a degree of economic security for the public.

For your other detailed questions you may wish to follow up with the NI helpline as the answers you seek are more about NI than immigration.
Ref: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ndividuals

[atkuzmanov]

Hello!

Have you found the answer to your query above?
I am in exactly the same sort of situation.

Thanks!

Hi @Pixie_Pix,

No, I have not found answers to my queries.

As far as I understand you can Medical Insurance in only one European country, however I am not certain if that true or not.

[atkuzmanov]

Hello Everyone,

...

Regarding this I have the following questions:

...

2. Is there any difference between National Insurance/Medical Insurance/Social Security, can I use these terms interchangeably?


...

Thanks,
atkuzmanov

2) Not sure if it helps but I would say the 3 phrases are not interchangeable.

NI is the UK state scheme that takes National Insurance contributions from citizens who then to qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.

Medical Insurance is a generic term for the section of the insurance industry that provides insurance for medical cover (to mitigate the risk of certain health conditions) in exchange for the payment of premiums.

Social Security is a state system that uses public funds to provide a degree of economic security for the public.

For your other detailed questions you may wish to follow up with the NI helpline as the answers you seek are more about NI than immigration.
Ref: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ndividuals

Thank you for clearing that up @noajthan, this is useful!