family check up with GP

Is it possible to get a check up without a NHS card?
My daughter is due for her 15-month old check up and my husband and I are due for our yearly physical. Is it possible to get these done without an NHS card?

We took our daughter to a GP a few weeks ago because of a minor cold. I had previously registered with them but when I arrived (we were told we were temporary residents and had to fill out different paperwork). After the visit, I was told that if I wanted to be seen, I'd have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed by my private insurance, however my daughter could be seen without any charge. So, I'm confused because in other threads I read that one doesn't need an NHS card/number to be seen.

My daughter and I are both on an EEA Family permit so I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

Would anyone be able to shed some light on this? Maybe I should said/not said something?

Is it possible to get a check up without a NHS card?
My daughter is due for her 15-month old check up and my husband and I are due for our yearly physical. Is it possible to get these done without an NHS card?

You don't need a physical NHS card, just an NHS number, which should have been assigned to you the first time you registered with the GP and should be on their computer system.

I was born and raised in the UK, and have been treated on the NHS my whole life... I have never had a physical NHS card, and I didn't even know what an NHS number was until I was 24 - I have never needed to give it or prove that I have it.

We took our daughter to a GP a few weeks ago because of a minor cold. I had previously registered with them but when I arrived (we were told we were temporary residents and had to fill out different paperwork). After the visit, I was told that if I wanted to be seen, I'd have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed by my private insurance, however my daughter could be seen without any charge. So, I'm confused because in other threads I read that one doesn't need an NHS card/number to be seen.

It sounds like you were given incorrect information by the GP surgery. Unfortunately, this is a common problem, with many GP receptionists being unaware of the immigration rules and NHS eligibility.

Did you show them your passports and family permits which should have proved that you are not temporary visitors and you are entitled to free NHS care.

See these pages for info about NHS entitlement if you have moved to the UK: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1087.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=162

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/healthcare_e/healthcare_help_with_health_costs_e/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm

You should not have to pay out of pocket and you should not need to use private insurance unless you choose to.

My daughter and I are both on an EEA Family permit so I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

No, it shouldn't have any effect - with an EEA family permit, you are entitled to free NHS care as soon as you arrive in the UK.

The GP surgery may have been getting mixed up with you actually being EEA citizens, in which case I think you would have to live in the UK for 6 months (exercising treaty rights) before you could receive NHS care.

Thanks for all this useful info. I'll try ringing up the surgery again and register with them and if they won't take us, we'll try with another GP.

Cheers!

You should be covered, but they do often get these things wrong.

They don't do yearly check ups here though, so that might be causing some confusion?

They don't do yearly check ups here though, so that might be causing some confusion?

This is generally true but the NHS is now offering 'Health Checks' to people between 40 and 74 once every 5 years.  This is to assess your risks of developing heart disease, kidney disease or diabetes.  I believe the GPs are encouraging this as they get paid a bonus for every one performed.
Probably of no use to the OP but may be of use to someone else.

you should be registered with NHS when you arrived!

You will probably find that your local GP surgery doesn't provide health checks for infants, but that these will be through your local Health Visitor Clinic. Your GP should be able to give you details for your local Health Visitors, who provide support throughout pregnancy and for children up to 5 years of age.