Basic Information about the Austrian E-Card
The e-card is the electronic card of Austrian social insurance, which is essential for accessing healthcare services in Austria. The purpose of the e-card system is to simplify administrative processes, ensure the protection of patient data, and make healthcare more efficient.
You can find the official e-card website here in German.
History and Introduction
The introduction of the e-card system was part of the modernization of the Austrian healthcare system, which began in the early 2000s. The Austrian government’s goal was to create an integrated system capable of managing health data, providing quick and secure access to healthcare services. With the introduction of the e-card, a significant portion of paper-based certifications and administrative burdens were eliminated, which substantially increased the efficiency of the healthcare system.
Funkciók
The e-card verifies the entitlements required to access healthcare services. In medical practices, ambulances, and hospitals, scanning the e-card allows checking whether we are insured and under what conditions we can use services, such as whether we are exempt from prescription fees. The e-card system enables quick data verification, which reduces administrative burdens and increases the efficiency of healthcare provision.
The e-card not only proves insurance eligibility but also provides access to the Electronic Health Record (ELGA) system. ELGA allows healthcare providers to quickly and securely access our health data, which can be life-saving especially in emergency situations.
Photo e-card
To increase the security of the e-card, a photo e-card was introduced. The photo e-card can only be issued if our photo is available with the social security provider. Those with a valid Austrian passport, identity card, or driver’s license automatically receive the e-card. Those who do not have these documents must submit a photo at the appropriate registration office.
Obtaining the E-Card
Obtaining the e-card is a simple process. When we start working in Austria, the employer registers us in the social security system. From that moment on, we are insured and receive the Austrian social security number. However, the e-card can only be issued if insured individuals have a photo in the database. If someone does not have a valid Austrian ID card, passport, or driver’s license, they must submit a photo at the appropriate registration office.
The e-card will be automatically mailed by social security. Therefore, newly insured individuals do not have any additional tasks; they will receive the e-card by mail.
Usage and Validity
The e-card can be used at all contracted doctors, contracted healthcare institutions, social insurance’s own institutions, and most hospitals. With the e-card, our insurance eligibility can be quickly and easily verified, enabling smooth care.
During domestic travel, using the e-card is just as simple as in everyday life. When seeking medical care, it is sufficient to present the e-card and indicate that the care is needed while on vacation.
In case of foreign stay, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on the back of the e-card ensures access to healthcare in European Union member states and other countries with social security agreements. The EHIC allows you to receive necessary medical assistance as if you were insured in that country. It is important that all data fields of the EHIC are filled out and that our insurance is active in Austria.
Loss and Replacement
The loss or theft of the e-card must be reported to the social security office or the e-card customer service as soon as possible. The lost card will be blocked, and a new card will be mailed within a few days. Medical care can still be accessed until the new card arrives, if the insurance number and insurer are known.
In case of losing the e-card, it is not necessary to file a police report; it is sufficient to report the loss to the social security office. The issuance of a new card is a quick process, so you can use the e-card again soon.
E-card Validity When Changing Jobs or Insurance Status
The e-card will remain valid when changing jobs or in the event of a change in insurance status. These changes do not require replacing the e-card, as the information is stored in the e-card system, not on the card itself. Insurance eligibility and related data are continuously updated in the system, so the card always contains up-to-date information.
Advantages
The e-card system offers numerous advantages for both patients and healthcare providers. One of its greatest benefits is quick and secure access to healthcare services and data. Medical care eligibility can be easily and efficiently verified, which reduces administrative burdens and increases the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
The e-card system is continuously expanding and developing to provide us with more convenience and security features. The system enables the secure management of health data, which is particularly important for our data protection.
The advantages of the e-card system also include simplifying administration. We have successfully replaced most paper-based certificates and documents with the electronic system, which significantly reduced administrative burdens for both healthcare providers and ourselves.
Future Developments
The Austrian government and social security organizations are continuously working on developing the e-card system. The introduction of new features and services aims to further increase the efficiency of healthcare and our convenience. Future developments may include new security measures, integration of additional electronic services, and even more secure handling of health data.
The continuous development of the e-card system ensures that the Austrian healthcare system remains at the forefront of innovation and efficiency. The e-card is a key element of both present and future healthcare provision.
