Bob

It helps pass the time between the sheep

Jerseygirl

They weren't from '87 to '99 because I lived just across the border into N Wales.

taffie77

It's fairly recent - around 3 or 4 years I think.

Jerseygirl

Good...I thought I'd missed out on something there.

traceym

I would say about 3 years ago when it came in but you must live in Wales, no nipping across the Border, lots tried!

taffie77

I seem to remember news stories about it when it was first introduced, about people going across from Gloucestershire. If I remember correctly, prescriptions have your address on, so it's pretty easy to weed out the interlopers

scrubbedexpat099

Come home to a real fire, buy a cottage in Wales.

traceym

I worked in Shrewsbury and they were all trying it, very amusing at the time!

Juswus

and they don't say : "oh no, you already felt a lump, therefore those tests were diagnostic and not preventative and therefore not covered by your employer's shitty insurance...$6000 please"

Bomjeito

And starting April 2011, prescriptions will be free in Scotland too. They've been reducing the price since 2007. Last 3 years went from 5 to 4 to 3 GBP, then come April - free.

Interestingly, the big changes with US insurance providers, is the co-pay for a lot of prescriptions is higher than the walk-in price. This means it does pay to shop around. Wal-mart WILL charge you the insurance price if you are in their system. This is why I go to a local Walgreens with a fab pharmacy that will cost out each way and then either put it through insurance or simply have me pay pharmacy price. This is very apparent with generics, as they are about $10 without insurance, but $15 with my CIGNA co-pay. Sheesh.

As for free healthcare, I am surprised the number of US expats living abroad had some sense that Obama meant free healthcare. Many believe that! (Not understanding that his initiative was to ensure ACCESS to healthcare and insurance without quite mentioning that SOMEONE still has to pay for it, including the patient.)

Many states have children's healthcare initiatives, which are normally income-related. And many more states have sliding scale healthcare options for those who don't qualify for free programs, but still aren't exactly in the middle income ranges, either.

This is why those wishing to immigrate into the USA are advised to be sure they have health insurance sorted - either through a job or a spouse's job.

hydrasoul

sorted it out now, the misses is the USC, im UKC. Didnt know much about it, but do now.