I had my EHIC card when I ended up in hospital in Spain. I had no say how I got there after being taken ill at the poolside. The hotel called out a doctor who called out an ambulance where I was taken to a flash hospital. I was thinking this is better than the NHS. A few hours later I was given the all clear despite being offered many other tests so I just walked out of the front door.
A month later I was tracked down and was sent a big bill as they used my EHIC card details to find me. I can’t remember flashing any insurance policy at them. I had no idea but I was seen by a private doctor, went to hospital in a private ambulance and was admitted to a private hospital. Lucky for me I had travel insurance.
No travel insurance means no repatriation flights, no anything.