What is this about being denied NHS after being out of the UK for more than 3 months? I'll be brief. I'm USC, husband retired British, we've been in US for over a year. Husband diagnosed with diabetes. We do not have health insurance here. REally scary. Considering moving back to UK.

Day you "move back", you're covered.

Thank you FATBRIT for replying.... we always thought that if we needed to return for health care we could. Looks not to be the case. We'll have to move back to get healthcare, right?

That's for visitors to the UK needing non emergency medical care. If you are returning to the UK to be permenant residents as FB said your husband will be covered from day 1.

Yep.

Umm, why would you think that? It's essentially the same as here, except that there is 1 big insurance policy that is easy to get. But if you don't pay in or meet the eligibility requirements (such as being resident there in the UK) you don't get coverage.

My husband does pay in to the NHS and has all his life. I have a resident visa for UK and have paid into the NHS. Guess I was just ignorant.

Doesn't matter whether you have ever paid in or not. Matters that you're resident.

I think you mean he still pays NI (National Insurance)...that's got nothing to do with the NHS.

Yep, looks like we'll be moving back, 'sigh'. Don't cherish the thought of leaving my family, children and grand children AGAIN. But healthcare here stinks. One visit to the emergency room over $2000. Insurance is way to expensive. Hope Obama can change things.

I wouldn't hold your breath.

Depends if he's allowed to change anything! The Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare, Insurance and Food industries seem to be on a nice screw right at the moment, they won't like giving that up!

Do you know if my husband will qualify for Medicare in the US when he reaches 65? Having never worked in the US. (which should be in 1 1/2 yrs)

Has anyone actually had to prove their residence in the UK when registering for a GP? I never did - in fact I don't think you even need an NI number, so I'm not sure how they even check eligibility...

I've kept some UK bank accounts open and they am getting statements for these sent to an address in the UK so even if they asked for some kind of documentary evidence I would be covered if I ever needed to be.

Why do you think you'd be covered? Just because your mail is sent to a UK address does not make you a UK resident.

You do not need a NI number to register with a GP you need a NHS number.