britchicknyc

EXACTLY!!!

You will still be entitled to free care in A&E - that applies to everyone regardless. However if you are admitted to the hospital - you shall be billed accordingly.

Seems tough to those who have paid in to the system for years. But rules are rules, and they are what they are.

anotherlimey

Does anyone actually enforce these rules? I'd be interested to hear about anyone who has been caught out and made to pay up.

-tom

Elvira

I wonder what is eligibility for people like us who pay UK tax on a rental property and earnings from a UK-based business?

Together, my husband and I continue to pay several 1000s in UK tax each year...

Manc

capital gains / property / council tax is not National insurance.

The only way I think to remain eligible for NHS as an expat is to keep up with the full stamp.

Elvira

Okay, I pay Class 2 + 4, my DH pays Class 3. Does that mean one or both of us are eligible for NHS treatment?

What about les enfants?

Manc

dunno possibly
I would imagine if you guys are, then they are too.

britchicknyc

Only if you live in Britain - or have done do in the previous 3 months. Like we said - it is a residency based system.

Please see the link I posted earlier in the thread for details.

jjmb

My son developed bad asthma for the brief time we were back in the UK in 2003, so we made an emergency appointment for him. Brought along his medical card and explained we were now living in the USA, so didn't hide anything. Thought we would be charged but just had to fill in the form and that was it. Went away with prescription for an inhaler and antibiotics.

britchicknyc

Yep - the rules are hardly enforced.

But are you entitled to this under the guidelines - probably not.

Manc

I thought emergency treatment was ok?

britchicknyc

In ER / A&E not at a GP.

Please check the link I previously provided for guidelines.

Manc

Do I have to pay for emergency treatment if I have an accident?

Regardless of residential status or nationality, emergency treatment given at Primary Care Practices (a GP) or in Accident and Emergency departments or a Walk-in Centre providing services similar to those of a hospital Accident and Emergency department is free of charge.

In the case of treatment given in an Accident and Emergency department or Walk-in Centre the exemption from charges will cease to apply once the patient is formally admitted as an in-patient (this will include emergency operations and admittance to High Dependency Units) or registered at an outpatient clinic.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidan...711&chk=whW6Pd

Muswell Hill

When I worked in at UCH in London a mate of mine worked in the admin office. He told me they had 'no possible way of collecting any fees from anyone', unless they had made special arragements with a consultant doctor before for treatment and paid in advance. So although technically not permitted, I don't know of any GP or hospital in the UK that would actually present a bill to a person.

Most NHS employees I know (I'm an ex-one myself) have such a deep hatred of private medicine that they would on principle not ask for payment, especially if that person was a Brit would have come over from the USA for treatment because they couldn't afford it in the US.

I think anyone who has or still contributes to UK taxation should be eligible for NHS treatment**my personal opinion**.

And let's all be honest here, as great as the US is, if most people were diagnosed with a brain tumour, HIV or cancer, most of use would be on the first plane to Heathrow (a liver transplant here requires an up front payment of $100,000!!...no money to pay, then you die).
I know i don't have the money to meet 20% deductibles and whatever else the treatment might cost, and I certainly wouldn't want my home repossessed, car impounded or have to declare bankruptcy and have shite credit for the rest of my life.

britchicknyc

In terms of morality - I agree with you. It is really tough for those who paid taxes for years and years.

Even though I have been away for three and a bit years - I can still get it because I work for the gov't. For which I am grateful, but I am very thankful for the excellent insurance I have in the US - I really feel for those who are uninsured in the US - Morally disgusting. Big NHS believer me!

sibsie

NI contributions have nothing to do with the NHS. The NHS is soley funded by the tax payer.