Healthcare warning for new immigrants
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,820
Healthcare warning for new immigrants
I haven't been here for a long while properly but thought I would just come and give new immigrants a gentle reminder about healthcare costs.
3 weeks ago my 13yr old son had emergency surgery at Starship children's hospital for a rupturing appendix, which turned into a complex case. We received the forms to fill in to prove we're permanent residents and I completed them and handed them in with a copy of our son's passport/indefinite return visa. The staff member didn't input it into the system and I have just received a bill for the full cost of treatment...
$14303.42!
I don't have to pay it, as we are covered by our indefinite PR but it is a warning to those out there who are not covered! I immediately thought of all those poor people here that this could happen to and had to come on to post my experience.
The breakdown (yes they did end me one!!) of the cost is as follows:
Ward stay - 4.88 days @ $1227.00 per night = $5987.76
Operating room and anaesthesia (per minute) - 139 minutes @ $33 = $4587.00
Surgical staff (per 15 minutes) - 9.27 staff @ $157 each = $1455.39
Children's Emergency Department short stay (more than 3 hours treatment time) - 1 = $684.00
PLUS GST
So total payable is $14303.42
I would highly recommend checking if you are eligible for free healthcare, and getting yourself an insurance policy if you're not.
Michelle
3 weeks ago my 13yr old son had emergency surgery at Starship children's hospital for a rupturing appendix, which turned into a complex case. We received the forms to fill in to prove we're permanent residents and I completed them and handed them in with a copy of our son's passport/indefinite return visa. The staff member didn't input it into the system and I have just received a bill for the full cost of treatment...
$14303.42!
I don't have to pay it, as we are covered by our indefinite PR but it is a warning to those out there who are not covered! I immediately thought of all those poor people here that this could happen to and had to come on to post my experience.
The breakdown (yes they did end me one!!) of the cost is as follows:
Ward stay - 4.88 days @ $1227.00 per night = $5987.76
Operating room and anaesthesia (per minute) - 139 minutes @ $33 = $4587.00
Surgical staff (per 15 minutes) - 9.27 staff @ $157 each = $1455.39
Children's Emergency Department short stay (more than 3 hours treatment time) - 1 = $684.00
PLUS GST
So total payable is $14303.42
I would highly recommend checking if you are eligible for free healthcare, and getting yourself an insurance policy if you're not.
Michelle
#2
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
OMG!!!!!! I had to re-read that figure severalo times over!
Thank you for sharing it is indeed a timely reminder to those without PR.
Thank you for sharing it is indeed a timely reminder to those without PR.
#3
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,820
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
Imagine having to open up the invoice/bill and stay standing up!! LOL
#4
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 336
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
If I was not covered I would do what a friend did, how is a pom return back to the UK FALL ill and get treatment.... she got no bill and that was last year.
#5
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
Useful info on the NZ MOH view here:
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/index...nts#ukcitizens
and the UK FCO view here:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ia/new-zealand
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/index...nts#ukcitizens
and the UK FCO view here:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...ia/new-zealand
#7
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,820
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
If I was going to spend $14k on a hotel, I'd be doing it somewhere other than New Zealand anyway LOL
Jokes and cost aside, the staff were absolutely fantastic and not one of them ever had a grumpy face on. They would bend over backwards to do anything for the children on the ward, and bent over some more if asked to
Just a shame it cost me almost the above amount in food for me and my son for the week as the hospital food was... um... nope, sorry I can't find a polite enough word, you shall have to add your own expletive here
Jokes and cost aside, the staff were absolutely fantastic and not one of them ever had a grumpy face on. They would bend over backwards to do anything for the children on the ward, and bent over some more if asked to
Just a shame it cost me almost the above amount in food for me and my son for the week as the hospital food was... um... nope, sorry I can't find a polite enough word, you shall have to add your own expletive here
#8
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
Think you might have been watching too much Paul Henry?
#9
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
There are certain counties Uk being one of them that have recipriocal (spelling) agreements that health care is provided free of charge.
If a Kiwi as in UK hospital he would not reveive a bill for his treatment.
If a Kiwi as in UK hospital he would not reveive a bill for his treatment.
#10
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
Does anyone receiving treatment in a UK hospital ever receive a bill?
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 0
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
Yes! I know some women received bills for their maternity care if they weren't entitled to free care. Often some women from Pakistan, Russia etc. But I'm trying to remember the exact reason why. It was a fair reason but it's been over 5 years since I worked in antenatal clinic & at my age the old memory has let me down.
#12
Enjoying retirement
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Rural Taranaki
Posts: 320
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
I think its worth pointing out that, if you have lived outside the UK for more than three months, you are no longer entitled to free treatment under the NHS.
So if you go to the UK on holiday, you have the same entitlement as any other Kiwi. Travel insurance is a must.
And returning to the UK just for medical treatment is definitely NOT an option.
So if you go to the UK on holiday, you have the same entitlement as any other Kiwi. Travel insurance is a must.
And returning to the UK just for medical treatment is definitely NOT an option.
Last edited by NakiMan; Oct 7th 2010 at 2:31 am.
#13
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
Yes! I know some women received bills for their maternity care if they weren't entitled to free care. Often some women from Pakistan, Russia etc. But I'm trying to remember the exact reason why. It was a fair reason but it's been over 5 years since I worked in antenatal clinic & at my age the old memory has let me down.
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Healthcare warning for new immigrants
(I know I could phrase this differently, but my baby brain has wiped out better terminology )