General Chat

We actually have the DWP number to phone to confirm we have it as they sent that out when they had the problem for people travelling before the cards arrived.

Glad they arrived safely Ann. Hopefully you won't need them.

When we were in Majorca last year OH had his wallet stolen and one of the things it contained was his EHIC. When he phoned them it was a real kerfuffle. They cancelled his card and just kept saying they would replace it when we returned to the UK. They couldn't seem to grasp that we had several days left overseas and needed some sort of temporary certificate in case we were ill. After lots of arguing they eventually emailed us a UK phone number with the instructions that any doctor treating us (and it had to be the doctor, not an administration person) was to ring this number and they would confirm we were covered. Thankfully we didn't need to go down this route.

Our cards have arrived so good service in the end given that it was bank holiday

That's good Ann!!

Those days are long gone now we have the 'benefit' of technology. They still keep saying it will be fixed by....... And then it is not.

In the good old days people would call in our office and I and others would do them for people while they waited. :-)

Hope the weather holds here then Wendy. Is she giving up business altogether or starting something else?

This might be of interest tp people, given that a lot are looking in!!!

How long does the EHIC take to arrive and what should I do if I am leaving the UK before it arrives?
Your EHIC card will normally arrive within 10 working days if you apply by phone or using the official EHIC website. If you apply by post, your card will normally arrive within 21 days. We are unable to send your card to you any sooner than normal.

If you live outside the UK, the arrival time may vary depending on the postal service of the country you live in.

If you are travelling before your card is due to arrive, you would need to take the Department for Work and Pensions Overseas Healthcare Team (DWP OHT) telephone number with you.

Click here to view the EHIC leaflet available on the Department of Health website which includes useful information for when you are abroad.

If you require treatment when you are overseas and you do not have your card to show, you or someone responsible for you can call the DWP OHT to advise of your situation, you will need to provide them with your NHS number or National Insurance number. If applicable, they will email a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) directly to health care provider you are at, to prove that you are covered by the scheme.

If there is no email address provided for the hospital, the Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) will be sent via fax.

DWP OHT telephone number: 0044 191 218 1999 (select option 1 when prompted) (Option 1)

Possible she did benefit as I said that I was her mother and a resident here. You need photo ID is so the know you're not using someone elses card.

I'm fine Ann and I hope that the weather stays good in the UK as I am going next week just for five days. It is a surprise for my daughter who has sold The Fitness Company and the 2nd of June is her last day. Her staff and clients have lots of surprises in store for her and she has a hog roast in the evening.

Thanks Wendy, interesting to know re the photo ID. Do you think she benefitted by you being with her.?

Hope all is well with you, it feels like May in Puerto at the moment here, 31 degrees in our garden on Wednesday! :-D

My daughter was treated here, in Tenerife, when she was bitten by something that she had a bad reaction to. She had a EHIC card but had forgotten to bring it with her!! She was given an injection and a prescription on production of her passport

Even with your EHIC card photo ID is required too.

....that's if the website isn't 'broken' Kay!! :-D

The EHIC is free. To get one, just fill out an application on the EHIC website or by calling the******* NHS on 0300 330 1350. Once you've got a card, it's valid for the next 5 years.
Read more at http://www.postoffice.co.uk/health-insurance-card#EjePbOM83LBcYLoE.99

So, yes Rollo, guess where we are going!

The thing is, and I have not checked ours, that I have seen that if you do not carry the EHIC many private travel insurances could be invalidated (apparently it is buried in the small print.)

N.B. EHIC only covers emergencies it is not a substitute for full travel health insurance. If you have pre existing chronic conditions that may be very important. Moreover minor injuries can easily cost a lot of money which EHIC will not cover.

Many people will have travel ins as part of other stuff eg credit card, car insurance.

Most EU countries will give UK passport holders EHIC benefits without the card but are a lot more efficient than the NHS about repayment. A notable exception is Spain.

The EU side want EHIC to continue after Brexit as part of the citizen's rights agenda.

Possibly IPG those who have not re-applied have not needed one as they were not going anywhere. I have to admit that, despite me asking my OH if our were in date when we travelled last, and he said 'yes I am sure they are', they were not. Luckily we did not need them. And before you say it, yes, I am kicking myself as I carried mine without checking the expiry date.

Von, you can, I think apply by post which we will do if all else fails.

Hope you soon hear something Ann :-)

To be honest Ann I didn't know what EHIC but I did google it. Useful if I decide to travel in Europe again.

I think it's a little worrying that the only way you can apply is online.They should have a back up plan ;-) ;-) ;-)

Hope you get it sorted soon :-D

Not surprised you are having problems it looks like you and millions more will be trying to renew.

Just read this now:-

"The Money Saving Expert has advised people in the UK to check their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

According to Martin Lewis, some 5.3 million people have cards that expired within the last year.

Over half of people in the UK don’t have one at all, which makes them potentially liable for thousands of pounds in medical bills on their next holiday.

Martin said: “A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a must if going to Europe.”

The EHIC is free to apply for and grants Britons discounted medical care in 28 EU countries."

Presumably they will be of no use in 18 months time?

From their web site for all those reading and not posting!!!

We're hoping systems will be restored later today, we'll post an update as soon as things are back up and running. We don't have any alternative methods to apply in the meantime. Thanks for your patience.

I would say the last line is somewhat hopeful!! I suppose when they get up and running it will then crash from over use!!