Has anybody here on a UK pension applied for an E121 to get free medical Insurance here? What is your experience?
It seems that this will entitle us to free healthcare with a 300 franchise, and 10% of cost to us.

We've got Form S1 from the UK, but the Commune Lamal in Soleure are telling me I need form E121, as S1 is not yet valid in CH! Phoned UK and they insist E121 was replaced May last year by S, and that they therefore cannot send me E121. expletive.

Actually going through the same procedure at the moment, Form E121 is available and is required by the Swiss authorities. I had to be quite insistant with the Pension Service in Newcastle to get the form, but it is available. Albeit when it arrived it had been filled in wrong by the Pension Service so has now gone back for a new one, which will probably take weeks. When the correct one is received and stamped by the UK Pension Service to agree I have a full UK contribution record it then goes to LAMal (KVG) in Solothurn.
As I understand it, the UK then pay my basic health insurance in CH, I still need to pay for complimentary etc. I have a contact at the KVG in Solothurn who speaks perfect English albeit with a Scottish accent who may be able to help and has dealt with this sort of thing before. She was actually told the 121 was not available but it is because I have a copy of my incorrect one in front of me.
PM me if I can be of any more help, or leave it open to help others if you wish.

(I have just moved this from your other thread, in case you wonder where it has gone to..)

Just found more information on this topic, from the Swiss side of moving to EU countries,

http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/krank...x.html?lang=en

Persons abroad

If residence abroad has been taken up it is not possible to retain the basic health insurance in Switzerland. Essentially, insurance coverage ceases when one leaves Switzerland. Exceptions are made for certain groups (pensioners, unemployed, cross-border commuters, etc.) on the basis of bilateral agreements with the EU and the agreement with EFTA countries.

In addition, for people who were subject to compulsory health insurance, insurers may (but are not obliged to!) offer to continue to provide coverage on a contractual basis. The contract may be concluded with the same or a different insurer. The insurance relationship is then governed by insurance contract law.

How many months/years should you have paid N.I. to be entitled to a
- UK pension
- UK-funded health insurance valid in Switzerland
?

I worked and paid N.I. in the UK for less than 6 months...I'm curious if when I will retire I will get anything from them...

As the form E121 was designed to be used across borders in all languages, you can probably pick up a blank one at your health insurance company, or local social security office. I used one in 1977 when I went to work in Frankfurt, so they should know what it is by now.

The woman who spoke goo English at the Solothurn office insisted the form S1 is not valid here- but Newcastle office insists E121 is no longer valid or available and was replaced in May of last year. We'll wait for the Forms to arrive from Newcastle- and send them with a note- and cross fingers.

Ask to speak to a supervisor at Newcastle and they will reluctantly send you an E121, Your UK contributions need to be validated by them before you can send it to KVG.

We did speak to a supervisor- who said E121 no longer available. No problem with proving 40 years contributions + voluntary.