Manx Care reiterates insurance warning to motorsport visitors

Those from outside of the UK unlikely to be covered by reciprocal health agreement

Those travelling to the Island for the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT are being reminded to ensure they have adequate travel insurance in place before their arrival.

In the majority of cases, visitors from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who require health and care support during their stay – including urgent or emergency care – will be covered for most (if not all) costs they incur under the reciprocal healthcare agreement in place between the Isle of Man and the UK.

The agreement is restricted to visits of less than six months’ duration, and does not in all circumstances include medical repatriation back to the UK.

There's more on the reciprocal healthcare agreement HERE.

Visitors from further afield are unlikely to be covered by a reciprocal health agreement and are generally only entitled to urgent and emergency services free of charge, in line with the provisions of the NHS (Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2011.

All other services, including admission into hospital following treatment in the emergency department, medicines and diagnostic tests must be paid for. 

If admitted to hospital on the Island, all overseas visitors will be expected to provide insurance details or pay for any medical bills prior to their discharge.

Oliver Radford, Manx Care’s Interim Executive Director of Partnerships, Performance & Improvement, said: "Anyone who needs immediate or urgent treatment will get it – insurance queries will never delay or prevent immediately necessary or urgent treatment being given.

"We encourage all visitors, including those from the UK, to have an appropriate level of travel insurance in place when visiting the Isle of Man as the reciprocal healthcare agreement does not cover all eventualities – and could become extremely costly if should healthcare be required.

"Furthermore, please ensure that you pack enough of your prescription medication and any other forms of medicine, tablets or equipment that you may require during your visit – we want you to enjoy the events safely and worry-free."