27.10.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L276/19 DECISION No 191 of 18 June 2003 concerning the replacement of forms E 111 and E 111 B by the European health insurance card (Text with relevance for the EEA and for the EU/Switzerland Agreement) (2003/753/EC) THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION, Having regard to Administrative Commission Decision No 189 of 18 June 2003 aimed at introducing a European health insurance card to replace the forms necessary for the application of Council Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 and (EEC) No 574/72 as regards access to health care during a temporary stay in a Member State other than the competent State or the State of residence (1), Having regard to Administrative Commission Decision No 190 of 18 June 2003 concerning the technical specifications of the European health insurance card (2), Having regard to Administrative Commission Decision No 187 of 27 June 2002 on model forms necessary for the application of Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 and (EEC) No 574/72 (E 111 and E111B)(3), Whereas: 1 () ) () (%) 0) In its communication of 17 February 2003 concerning the introduction of a European health insurance card (*), the Commission outlined a plan for progressively replacing in three stages the forms currently required for the purpose of receiving treatment during a temporary stay in a Member State other than the competent State or the State of residence. The first stage (from 1 June 2004) would entail the introduction of the European card to replace only forms E 111 and E 111 B, which are the most commonly used by European citizens moving within the Community. To avoid having to withdraw E 111 and E 111 B forms which were issued before the entry into force of the European card and which are still valid, it must be ensured that forms continue to be accepted on the same basis as the European card until 31 December 2004 at the latest. As its stands, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 (°) provides for differing rights of access to health care during a temporary stay in a Member State other than the competent State or the State of residence, depending on the category to which the insured persons belong, making a distinction between ‘immediately necessary care’ and ‘necessary care’. As long as this distinction remains, cards must indicate either ‘E 111" or E 111 +. 1) See page 1 of this Official Journal. 2) See page 4 of this Official Journal. OJ L 93, 10.4.2003, p. 40. 4 COM(2003) 73 final. %) OJL 149, 5.7.1971, p. 2. (English special edition: Series I 71(II), p. 416).