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.

Savvy_Sue

This has gone a bit quiet, but I'll add my two pence worth ...

Back at the start of this year we tried to renew DH's EHIC as a GHIC. It had expired. There's no reason he shouldn't be able to get one, he's a UK resident with a NINo, and we've had one before. Tried a renewal, tried asking for a brank new card. 

NOTHING seemed to work - no acknowledgement ever came through, and no card either, despite a message on screen telling him he'd get an email shortly. Tried a different email address, still nothing. Eventually gave up and went away without one - definitely had travel insurance. 

Tried again in June: same result but I did manage to capture a screen grab which said what his reference number was and to email nhsbsa.ghicenquiries@nhs.net with any issues. Still no email, still no card. 

So I tried emailing nhsbsa.ghicenquiries@nhs.net, except that "the address couldn't be found or is unable to receive email". Gave up again: no plans to go away ... 

Spotted the piece in the weekly email and decided we really MUST sort this out. Came to this thread, found Moneyer's comment above

Moneyer said:

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.

And tried using THAT email address, which seems to actually work! Just an acknowledgement, and they say they're working a week behind, but still, RESULT!

Going to ask Forum Team to take a look at the article with a view to amending the email address ...

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue said:

Moneyer said:

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.

And tried using THAT email address, which seems to actually work! Just an acknowledgement, and they say they're working a week behind, but still, RESULT!

Going to ask Forum Team to take a look at the article with a view to amending the email address ...

Good news is that I've now had both an auto-response and an ACTUAL response from the address Moneyer gave, so I think we may soon be sorted ...

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue said:

Savvy_Sue said:

Moneyer said:

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.

And tried using THAT email address, which seems to actually work! Just an acknowledgement, and they say they're working a week behind, but still, RESULT!

Going to ask Forum Team to take a look at the article with a view to amending the email address ...

Good news is that I've now had both an auto-response and an ACTUAL response from the address Moneyer gave, so I think we may soon be sorted ...

The actual response said the last application had been 'cancelled'. No explanation of who cancelled it, or why. Use the link to make another application. 

Made another application. 'Caught' the reference no. Still no email to confirm.

Emailed to say we didn't cancel the application, so what was going on?

And apparently they need DH to prove he's actually resident in the UK. Two proofs of address from a long list needed.

Have emailed these off with a polite enquiry about where in the application process these had been asked for, and a hope we might soon see a GHIC. Fairly sure I wasn't asked for any proof ...