I think the problem that I am having with getting a replacement EHIC card from Newcastle might apply to several or even many people.
My wife and I each applied (11 November 2020) for our EHIC cards under the terms announced within the withdrawal agreement. These cards would be used if we were to fall ill in another EU country and would refer any costs back to UK.
Immediately after the online application we each got email confirmations back that our applications had been received. I didn’t read mine properly.
My wife received her EHIC card just after Christmas.
Because I hadn’t had mine by 15 January I was prompted to check that November email. I then saw that it said
“We are unable to proceed with your application for an EHIC as we have been unable to confirm that you hold a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 certificate issued by the UK”.
As others might know, trying to contact Overseas Health in Newcastle is no longer easy. At least, not if you wish to speak the someone. Virtual assistant, yes - but that’s a dead end.
Several emails to and fro to the EHIC team - asking how I wasn’t eligible because I had full access into the French system - even pictures of my existing EHIC card - would not budge them. They did say that my S1 is issued but not registered.
The penny has dropped with me, I think. When we came here both of us were under retirement age and ‘inactif’. So we paid URSAAF contributions for about 2 years until my wife reached 60. She then got her carte vitale - and so did I (piggybacking).
I then became officially retired in 2010. Nothing seemed to change - carte vitale carried on being accepted, received EHIC renewal cards a couple of times.
Now I think I see the problem - the french system has never registered my S1 with UK.
So I need to contact CPAM or someone (who?) to get this situation regularised. Any suggestions please?