EHIC's hidden probelm

Not that there is much logic in Spain, but as Spain bills the UK for all patients treated on an EHIC (and the E111 previously)  they have nothing to lose and of they did abolish the system then they may stand to discourage some tourists

DWP also pays around £3,000 p.a. for each person who is registered via an E121 ot S1.

Just in passing.  If one was here legally on 24th April 2012, and is not covered by insurance, has an income of under 100,000 pa they are entitled to free medical cover. That includes all nationalities, so Brexit will have no effect on that

In the interim

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx

http://healthcareinspain.eu/useful-contacts/

http://healthcareinspain.eu/living-in-spain/

However, the future of this benefit has been thrown into doubt by the vote to leave the European Union. 

Nothing will happen to the EHIC when Article 50 is triggered, as it merely starts the process of leaving the European Union. 

One of the major factors in deciding whether the EHIC will remain available to British citizens is whether there is a separation from the EEA,  as the card is not an EU initiative.

There are countries, such as Norway and Iceland, who are EEA members but not EU members and accept the EHIC. The UK could feasibly adopt this model.

A quick flick around the internet came up with this from a money advice article, not to be believed of course as everything posted on here is 100%.

However, the future of this benefit has been thrown into doubt by the vote to leave the European Union. 

Nothing will happen to the EHIC when Article 50 is triggered, as it merely starts the process of leaving the European Union. 

We are actually talking about when the UK leaves the EU, not when Article 50 was triggered back in March. I think we all know nothing will change until we actually leave.

One of the major factors in deciding whether the EHIC will remain available to British citizens is whether there is a separation from the EEA,  as the card is not an EU initiative.

Yes, it's an EEA initiative. It was incorporated into the EU statutes after discussion with other EEA members including Switzerland. That Telegraph article you quote from does not mention that. 

There are countries, such as Norway and Iceland, who are EEA members but not EU members and accept the EHIC. The UK could feasibly adopt this model.

Bit disingenuous there. Those countries pay into the EU, accept free movement and are members of Schengen. You also don't need a work permit or a visa to go there if you are a member of the EU countries. If UK adopted the same model as Norway they would pay as much as they do now as a member of the EU as there would be no rebate.They would also have to accept free movement as it is part of the membership of the EEA rules. Bit silly leaving, really.

A quick flick around the internet came up with this from a money a

dvice article, not to be believed of course as everything posted on here is 100%.

You also missed out a bit in that Telegraph article at the bottom:

As the EEA allows for the free movement of people around the EU’s 28 member states, it is also feasible that Brexit will sever ties with the EEA as well, in which case the EHIC would likely cease to exist.”

As it so happens I didn't get it from the Telegraph.

Might be a good thing if EHIC was abolished because UK cannot be bothered billing any other  EU country. This would free up capacity for more Nigerian health tourists.