The European Commission launched an application for smartphones explaining how to use the European Health Insurance Card. The guide is now available as an application for smartphones on three platforms: iOS, Android and Windows 7 mobile, because, according to the Commission, differences among healthcare systems may make it difficult to figure out how to use the Card in various countries.

The European Commission has launched an application for smartphones (iOS, Android and Windows 7 mobile platforms) explaining how to use the European Health Insurance Card, just in time for the summer holidays, the EURO 2012 Football Championship and the London 2012 Olympics. In addition to this, the European Health Insurance Card is being tested in the epSOS project for identifying patients.

The app is available in 24 languages, with the option to switch from one language to another, and it is a handy guide on how to use the Card in the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. It includes general information about the card, emergency phone numbers, treatments that are covered and costs, how to claim reimbursement and who to contact in case you have lost your card.

According to the figures published by the Commission, currently over 188 million people in Europe have the European Health Insurance Card (or a replacement certificate). This is over 37% of the total EU population. A patient in possession of the card is entitled to the same access to public sector healthcare in case of illness or an accident (e.g. a doctor, a pharmacy, a hospital or a health care centre) as the nationals of the country he or she is visiting.