Originally Posted by AdobePinon

I might be (and probaly am) wrong, but I had the impression that expats are only entitled to emergency cover under NHS.

Originally Posted by Tracym

But you could move back that day, if you chose right? And then be covered by everything? Now I am going to have to sound ignorant, what exactly defines a British Expat. Simply not living there for some specified time? Or...?

I don't know about this issue, I have wondered about it.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

An expat/expatriate is someone who is not living in his/her native country.

Originally Posted by AdobePinon

I might be (and probaly am) wrong, but I had the impression that expats are only entitled to emergency cover under NHS.

Originally Posted by TouristTrap

Though at a guess, there are many who do go back 'permanently' if they need extended medical attention

Originally Posted by Tracym

lol thanks, I wasn't sure if it was quite that simple.

So, the day you move back, you'd be covered again?
And what's to stop you from just "moving" back and forth?

This is an interesting issue for me, because of the insurance implications.

Originally Posted by Tracym

Actually, there is another significant thing to consider, I think. Forgive me, I might not remember all the details, but a insurance broker should be able to tell you.

If you are with a group, they have to cover any medical conditions you might have. If you get individual insurance, they can probably drop you. And then the real problem begins.

If you go to a new job with health cover, and IF you have had continuous cover with a group, pre-existing conditions must be covered immediately.

Individual insurance has no such requirements.

If you go with a new group then, and haven't been with a group for some time period (90 days?) I am not sure that they will have to cover pre-existing conditions. EDIT - won't have to comver them IMMEDIATELY

I might not be totally correct, check up on that information, but I think so.

Originally Posted by Tracym

On thing I am very curious about... the NHS counts as creditable coverage. Now, I believe (tell me if I'm wrong) you are entitled to use the NHS simply by being a British citizen. Being in the US doesn't cancel that - you could return to the UK on the next plane and the NHS will treat you. So... if even if a UK citizen didn't have any other cover, would this force the insurance company to cover everything from day one?

Originally Posted by Tracym

But you could move back that day, if you chose right? And then be covered by everything? Now I am going to have to sound ignorant, what exactly defines a British Expat. Simply not living there for some specified time? Or...?

I don't know about this issue, I have wondered about it.

Originally Posted by Bob

It's not a citizen thing but a residence thing, so if your resident in the UK, regardless of citizenship, your covered, so students coming over etc would be covered from day one.

Originally Posted by Bob

It wouldn't work...for a start you should be registered with a GP, taxes, so proof of residence with utilities, voter enrolment...and doing anything like that would kill your greencard.

Originally Posted by Boiler

I am not so sure, I can think of circumstances where all those apply and you are not resident and where none of them apply and you are resident.

Residency can mean many things, even within the US none of the various Government bodies seems to have a common definition. whether it be Immigration, Tax, DLV, Student Tuition etc etc.

From a practical point of view I am sure many people do pop back and reside for a while.

Just because you are claiming Residency for NHS purposes does not mean you have abandoned Residency for USCIS purposes.

Get Citizenship and that problem goes away.

Originally Posted by Boiler

I am not so sure, I can think of circumstances where all those apply and you are not resident and where none of them apply and you are resident.

Residency can mean many things, even within the US none of the various Government bodies seems to have a common definition. whether it be Immigration, Tax, DLV, Student Tuition etc etc.

From a practical point of view I am sure many people do pop back and reside for a while.

Just because you are claiming Residency for NHS purposes does not mean you have abandoned Residency for USCIS purposes.

Get Citizenship and that problem goes away.

Originally Posted by farmerwife

As far as NHS is concerned - residence intention is the thing.
An expat would be covered from day one of their move back, if the intention was to re- establish their UK residence. And they could be asked to prove that intent.

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles...articleId=1087

If you are an expat visiting the UK - you are only entitled to emergency treatment.
It's possible that establishing UK residence could affect a green card.
As Boiler pointed out - becoming a USC takes away that problem.