pogsy

Don't know without contacting my old UK accountant who told me.

JAJ

You are. Immediately. Unlike in most Canadian provinces, for example, where there is a 3 month waiting period.

And in Australia, Australians returning from overseas, and New Zealanders moving to Australia, must provided evidence to Medicare that they have really *moved* back to Australia and are not just visiting, in order to get new Medicare cards.

British citizens outside the UK do not generally pay UK income taxes or VAT, so why should they be eligible to use the taxpayer funded NHS?

JAJ

If someone has left the UK permanently, all assets are overseas, and the will is probated overseas, then by any sensible definition of the term the person was no longer UK domiciled and Inheritance Tax wouldn't be chargeable in any case.

Things are completely different if assets (eg a house) are left in the UK.

pogsy

If that is the case and say a house was left in the UK, does this mean that the owners would be entitled to use the NHS services. Does it also mean that if someone were to die whilst in ownership of a property/assetts in the UK would the beneficeries of the will be liable to UK inheritance tax if they were living outside the UK.

JAJ

No.

Inheritance tax is charged on the estate, primarily. It's not a capital receipt tax.


What I can't understand is why anyone in Australia should care about using the NHS. With Medicare available, why on earth would you want to fly to the other side of the world for medical treatment?

BettyBoop

Not everyone receives Medicare. Also dental work is far cheaper in the UK than Oz. People could incorporate some dental work whilst returning for a short holiday.

nurselindsey

Yes but dentists are rarer than rocking horse poo!

I would like to know too - How often do the NHS actually chase for payment of services rendered to those that have been in the country two minutes and then end up in the NHS system - There are lots!

Lindsey

Vash the Stampede

British citizens are automatically entitled to Medicare via the UK/AU reciprocal agreement.
DFAT.

JAJ

Only to a limited extent. And not all British citizens are covered in the first place, eg if formerly resident outside the UK.

Those who are permanent residents automatically get cover anyway.

BettyBoop

Temp.visa holders are only entitled to emergency medicare if they are British citizens....i shoud know i am in Oz. But thanks for the info.
BB

BettyBoop

Try cotland we have no shortage of good NHS dentists. As for your other question why don't you research it?
BB

HJAMES

Yes, and I know people living in Libya who come and visit their family (Dad being a surgeon) and tie it in with their operations and hospital check up but they are not UK residents!!!!!!

Rule for 1 rule for another!!!!!

(Just like anything I suppose)

preetsangha

Can I update your link please :
http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidan...Visitors/fs/en

liverpool girl

We are on a 457 visa with reciprocal medicare and we are entitled to immediately neccessary treatment - this does not neccessarily mean only emergency treatment (according tothe guidelines from medicare). In fact I had my teeth x rayed the other week and medicare refunded me the normal amount. It wasn't an emergency by any means - just that the dentist wanted to see the root detail on one of my teeth.

soonbethere

hi, this thread has kind of moved off from my original question, asking if we are no longer residents of UK, and if we were to return PERMANENTLY(- not for a holiday) would we get free treatment if we needed it, or is there a 2 year or so period where we would have to wait?
Anyhow as we are off the subject can anyone explain how it works here in Oz with regards to medicare etc, i had to get to emergency dept on friday after pulling my ligaments in my arm, i saw a Dr (very quickly in and out!) and the Dr prescribed me some anti inflam tabs and told me to go and see him at his surgery in a week.
Does anyone know if I will have to pay for this treatment, i didn't ask at the time because- well the pain was so bad it wouldn't have been an issue anyway, but now i am wondering if i will get a bill, and will i need to pay the Dr when i go and see him this friday? its all quite confusing...i am told that getting medical insurance is a good idea, then i am told that you still pay for many treatments (such as dental, chiropractor, ladies things! etc....) after Friday at the hosp i am even more confused whether or not we need to get insurance cover?