Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Jan 9th 2019, 1:59 am
#46
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,167
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
OP is completely lost it seems. What a thread! Make sure you tell the NHS admins you are a resident of the USA 
Jan 9th 2019, 2:55 pm
#47
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,505
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Is it the case, citizenship questions aside, that if you are un or underinsured in the US, even paying full whack in the UK giving birth there is still way cheaper than paying for it here? Or not?
Jan 9th 2019, 2:58 pm
#48
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Jan 9th 2019, 2:59 pm
#49
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,505
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Jan 9th 2019, 3:02 pm
#50
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
A quick Google suggested $6-7k for a 'straightforward' birth using NHS services.
I would suggest that is significantly cheaper than the US if under/un-insured. A quick search suggests the average copay in the US for a birth is $3k..
I would suggest that is significantly cheaper than the US if under/un-insured. A quick search suggests the average copay in the US for a birth is $3k..
Jan 9th 2019, 3:08 pm
#53
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,505
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Yes, way cheaper.
Jan 9th 2019, 3:37 pm
#54
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,129
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
It must be extremely expensive for him to be considering 2 return flights and living in the UK for at least 2 to 3 months. What about loss of income during this time?
Jan 9th 2019, 3:40 pm
#55
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,138
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
The thing that always seems to be forgotten by those gambling on a 'non NHS funded' cheap birth in the UK is if the baby needs neonatal care. The cost of that runs between £2,000 - £3,500 PER NIGHT in a private hospital. That's just for medical/nursing care, if the baby requires surgery the cost is anyone's guess.
And while I'm on my high horse, there's no way in the world that a US national who's just visiting the UK is going to be getting free NHS treatment for a pregnancy/birth. Being married to a Brit isn't relevant, owning property in the UK isn't relevant - they're not ordinarily resident in the UK so they're not entitled to free NHS care and that's that. They can attend an NHS hospital, but will be charged at 150% of the cost of their care.
And while I'm on my high horse, there's no way in the world that a US national who's just visiting the UK is going to be getting free NHS treatment for a pregnancy/birth. Being married to a Brit isn't relevant, owning property in the UK isn't relevant - they're not ordinarily resident in the UK so they're not entitled to free NHS care and that's that. They can attend an NHS hospital, but will be charged at 150% of the cost of their care.
Jan 9th 2019, 3:43 pm
#56
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,138
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
I'd say more like £6 - 7k. Excluding C-sections, pre-natal scans, ultrasounds, consultant visits etc.
Jan 9th 2019, 3:56 pm
#57
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
I actually did mean to put a GBP sign, but I don't use it much anymore so forgot
Jan 9th 2019, 3:56 pm
#58
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,159
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
'They can attend an NHS hospital, but will be charged at 150% of the cost of their care.'
What's the rationale for 150% rather than 100% of the cost. Seems a bit punitive.
What's the rationale for 150% rather than 100% of the cost. Seems a bit punitive.
Last edited by Hotscot; Jan 9th 2019 at 4:15 pm.
Jan 9th 2019, 3:59 pm
#59
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Moneymaker. Plain and simple.
Jan 9th 2019, 4:05 pm
#60
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Going Back to the UK to Have a Baby?
Last edited by Pulaski; Jan 9th 2019 at 4:09 pm.