Wed, 16 Aug 2023
Manx Care are urging visitors coming to the Isle of Man for the Manx Grand Prix to have sufficient travel insurance in place prior to arrival.
The majority of visitors who require health and care support during their stay will be covered for most (if not all) costs that are incurred under the reciprocal healthcare agreement that is in place between the Isle of Man and the UK.
The reciprocal healthcare agreement is restricted to visits of less than six months’ duration. It does not, in all circumstances, include medical repatriation back to the UK, including for people who live in a country where a reciprocal health agreement is in place.
Visitors that are coming from countries outside of the UK are unlikely to be covered by the reciprocal healthcare agreement, and therefore are generally only entitled to urgent and emergency services free of charge.
Oliver Radford, Manx Care’s Executive Director of Health Services, said that he’d like to “reassure visitors to the Island that urgent treatment – for example for someone involved in a road accident or who suffers a medical episode – will always be provided to anyone who needs it”.
He added: “However, please ensure if you’re travelling to the Island that you have your own appropriate level of insurance in place – please don’t overlook this important aspect.
“The reciprocal healthcare agreement does not cover all eventualities which could be very costly for anyone who has an accident or becomes ill and requires healthcare support or treatment, and even more costly for those without insurance in place at all.
“Please also make sure you’ve packed enough prescription medication and any other forms of medicine, tablets or equipment with you before you set off. We want all visitors to enjoy a safe and healthy Manx Grand Prix without having to worry.”