Medical NHS in UK

[Susie]

Hi

Does anyone know of a web site for the NHS that can give information as to rules if LPR or person on E or L visa still has the right to treatment?

If living away from home country for a period of time

[floridapete]

Don't remember the details but Steph on the other forum always seemed to be authority on this subject. Try her !

[DavidL]

Hi

Does anyone know of a web site for the NHS that can give information as to rules if LPR or person on E or L visa still has the right to treatment?

If living away from home country for a period of time

After 3 months you lose your rights to treatment and you should return your NHS medical card as the US has no health care under a reciprocal agreement with the UK. I'll try and find a weblink.

[JulieC]

I have a friend who used to work in the NHS as a manager and she is always outraged when she hears of expat Brits going back for NHS treatment. Apparently you are not entitled as entitlement is based on habitual residence not citizenship or having paid in for 30 odd years. That applies to visa holders as well not just LPR. Of course people do go back and do it and just give a relatives address and keep mum. Naughty as my friend would say.

[punky]

Seems a bit ridiculous that you can pay NI contributions for 30 years, leave the country for 3 months and they deny you treatment.

Actually, its the UK government, so its not that ridiculous at all. About par for the course.

[JulieC]

My feelings exactly. How long will it be before we all forfeit our state pensions that we have paid in to for 30 odd years as well, if they make that based on residence only also. I can see that one coming.

[DavidL]

My feelings exactly. How long will it be before we all forfeit our state pensions that we have paid in to for 30 odd years as well, if they make that based on residence only also. I can see that one coming.

As in the past and as of the present, you can pay class 2 N I contributions to ensure that you obtain the required number of credits in order to qualify for the OAP. Off course, as you say, there is no guarantee that there will be one around in 28 years time for me:)

[Picto]

Last time I visited my parents in the UK I needed to see a doctor. I was straight with him (that I was not residing in the UK) and he said "as long as you hold a UK passport you are entitled to treatment." I gave my parents address as a temporary address, took the doctor's visit for free and paid the standard price for my prescription.

I was honest and upfront but in any case, where there is a will there is a way!

[tracifrost]

look, my mum is a nurse at a major hospital and yes you can have treatment, she says it happens all the time.
Just because you are not a resident, doesnt mean to say, that you are NOT entitled to treatment from the NHS.
why do you think the NHS is in such a mess???????
because not only is it a health service to uk residents, but a health service to the world aswell!!

[DEE F]

As a diabetic I was always entitled to free prescriptions lancets strips etc etc,but that was all stopped after I had been out here for just over 3 months,and I have paid taxes and NI all my working life,but I was told by my Doctors receptionist in the UK ,that now I no longer resided there I was no longer entitled to my medications !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I was not amused,but nothing I could do about it,the weird thing was,my GP is the one who told me I could have my medication sent out to me every three months.But unfortunately thats was not the case,and as everyone knows out here when you have something like diabetes ,the insurance companies dont want to touch you with a barge-pole,so I have to cough up the outragious prices they charge out here.Believe me I have spent a fortune over the last four years.

Dee x

[Kristina]

From the Department of Health website:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/International/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_4099060

-K

[DEE F]

From the Department of Health website:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/International/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_4099060

-KHi Kristina was just looking at the website you gave,couldnt find what I was looking for,so does anyone know the answer to my question,as pre-existing conditions are entitled to free prescriptions on the NHS,does this mean that if and when I go for a visit to see family etc etc,would I be allowed to get my diabetic medicine whilst I am there,or would I still have to pay for it????????


Thank you

Dee x

[Kristina]

Hi Dee

On one of the pages on the link it says:

'Are you coming to the United Kingdom on holiday or to visit relatives?

Am I entitled to help with the costs of non-emergency NHS treatment?

Information about help with health costs is detailed in leaflet HC11 ' Are you entitled to help with health costs?'

I'd assume that that means prescriptions. You can read 'leaflet HC11' here:

http://www.ppa.org.uk/pdfs/ppc/HC11_01_July_07.pdf

-K

[DEE F]

Thank you for that Kristina ,if I have read it correctly then i think I am enetitled to get my medication,we will see.


Dee xx

[British Consul]

Hi

Does anyone know of a web site for the NHS that can give information as to rules if LPR or person on E or L visa still has the right to treatment?

If living away from home country for a period of time

Susie,

I answered this question a couple of months back in the Ask Dean from the British Consulate thread.

Anyone taking up or resuming permanent residence in the UK is entitled to free National Health Service (NHS) hospital treatment. If they intend to live permanently in the UK they will be exempt from hospital charges from the date of their arrival in the country - but they should expect to be asked to prove their intention of staying and that they are legally entitled to live there.

For more information visit http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandgui...able/DH_074374

So if you are not intending to remain in the UK, you should expect to pay.

Hope this helps?

Dean

[Bayfield]

As I understand it thats not quite right, Hospital treatment is not the issue, everybody gets that, GP treatment is.

But I would agree that Residency is just a state of mind, so unless you want to make an issue of it, no reason for the GP to.

[DebbieM]

OK for us E-2'rs and L-1'rs who are here on a NON Permanent visas, where exactly is our permanent residence???????

La la land by the sounds of it!

[SHEILA 13]

When I went back to the Uk last year ,I was hospitilised for 1 week and I didnt get charged anything.
I had treatment,drugs etc etc.
Sheila

[tracifrost]

well the E2 visa is different, that is a permanent visa, however the L1 is quite different and leads to the all important greencard!

[Kriz1]

Susie,

I answered this question a couple of months back in the Ask Dean from the British Consulate thread.

Anyone taking up or resuming permanent residence in the UK is entitled to free National Health Service (NHS) hospital treatment. If they intend to live permanently in the UK they will be exempt from hospital charges from the date of their arrival in the country - but they should expect to be asked to prove their intention of staying and that they are legally entitled to live there.

For more information visit http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandgui...able/DH_074374

So if you are not intending to remain in the UK, you should expect to pay.

Hope this helps?

Dean

I think that seems fair enough..if you are visiting from the US to the UK and live in the USA full time surely you have travel Ins....

[DebbieM]

well the E2 visa is different, that is a permanent visa, however the L1 is quite different and leads to the all important greencard!

Tracie, I wish an E2 was permanent and L-1's are non permanent until the green card is approved it isn't a given that everyone one on an L-1 gets a green card. So I would still like to understand where my permanent residence is.

[Bayfield]

Each organisation has a different definition, within the US, the NHS is not interested in your status elsewhere, just the UK.

But as I mentioned residency is a state of mind, so as long as you enter the UK on the basis of residing there you are good to go.

Nothing to stop you changing your mind later.