Free GHIC discussion

maggiesoup

Hi, my partner applied to get a GHIC card as his EHIC had expired.  After filling in all the info, the answer came back that he had already applied, he definitely hadn't.  The number shown on the bottom rang for 30 mins then cut him off.  Can anyone help with a direct number or call centre that doesn't cut you off.  We're on holidays in a month's time so it's fairly important to get the ball rolling quickly.  Thanks in advance. 

Moneyer

Anybody worked out how to get a GHIC for a child when both parents already have GHICs with plenty of validity left?

The online system seems only to let you apply for child GHICs by including them in a parental application, but it seems this can't be done if the parents already have GHICs which are not expiring. (In our case, the whole family replaced expiring EHICs with GHICs a few years back, except for youngest daughter whose EHIC had several years to run. But now her EHIC is expiring and we can't figure out how to get her a GHIC.....)

Thanks in advance!

Caz3121

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
there is a section but refers to having 'completed application' so unsure if same applies if you have existing card but probably worth a call
"If you’ve already completed your application and wish to add additional family members you'll need to contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You should provide us with your reference number, name, date of birth and address so we can access your record."

daveyjp

Moneyer said:

Anybody worked out how to get a GHIC for a child when both parents already have GHICs with plenty of validity left?

The online system seems only to let you apply for child GHICs by including them in a parental application, but it seems this can't be done if the parents already have GHICs which are not expiring. (In our case, the whole family replaced expiring EHICs with GHICs a few years back, except for youngest daughter whose EHIC had several years to run. But now her EHIC is expiring and we can't figure out how to get her a GHIC.....)

Thanks in advance!

When it was EHIC and there was a mismatch between our cards and my daughter's so hers expired I just applied for a new card for myself and my daughter.

There was no issue with me having two cards with differing expiry dates,

Moneyer

Moneyer said:

Anybody worked out how to get a GHIC for a child when both parents already have GHICs with plenty of validity left?

Just an update on this in case it helps others. Apparently you can "add a new child to your application" for a GHIC, even years after the application, but this has to be done by email (to nhsbsa.ghicapplicationsohs@nhsbsa.nhs.uk). I found they were very quick to respond; the first card they sent had a mistake on it but sent a new one promptly when notified and we were in possession of a correct one within a few weeks of first contacting them.