Leaving UK and NHS
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 53
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
So after I move back I'm not entitled to secondary care until six months have elapsed? I am a UK citizen and in receipt on my state pension.
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
If you move back with the intention to remain (and immediately become tax resident) then you are fully covered on day 1.
#35
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
Visitors are only entitled to primary care free of charge; residents are entitled to full NHS care free of charge from the first day that they become resident. If you move back to the UK with the intention of remaining there then you will be covered from day one.
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Northern California
Posts: 53
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
I thank you and durham_lad for the clarification. I could have sworn that I read on a UK government site in the last couple of years that persons collecting the UK state pension were covered by the NHS when in the UK regardless of residency. Haven't been able to find the page again so I assume the government put a stop to that.
#37
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,540
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
In my case, I was planning to go on paying my Medicare Part B even if I became fully resident in the UK - in order to cover myself on trips to US or the eventuality of changing my mind & moving back.
#38
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
I thank you and durham_lad for the clarification. I could have sworn that I read on a UK government site in the last couple of years that persons collecting the UK state pension were covered by the NHS when in the UK regardless of residency. Haven't been able to find the page again so I assume the government put a stop to that.
Now that we are back our foreign pensions, including the US State pensions, are taxed by HMRC so we are paying into the NHS which is a pay as you go system. (No Medicare arrangement which is funded during your working years with a dedicated tax that entitles you to government subsidized healthcare at age 65)
#39
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
Medicare only pays for medical services within the USA. But I don't think it's true you need to be a resident to qualify for Medicare - is it? Reading about Mexico as a popular choice for living in retirement, articles often state that one attraction is that folks can easily return to the US for their checkups and scheduled medical procedures etc. Obviously they'd have to make provision for emergency and unexpected medical events in Mexico.
In my case, I was planning to go on paying my Medicare Part B even if I became fully resident in the UK - in order to cover myself on trips to US or the eventuality of changing my mind & moving back.
In my case, I was planning to go on paying my Medicare Part B even if I became fully resident in the UK - in order to cover myself on trips to US or the eventuality of changing my mind & moving back.
#40
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Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Eee Bah Gum
Posts: 4,131
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
Yes, you can enroll in Medicare while living overseas.
https://www.medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc/
https://www.medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc/
Outside the U.S.: If you live outside the U.S., contact any United States Consular office to find out how to enroll in Medicare. If you live in the Philippines, contact the U.S. Veterans Administration Regional Office in Manila. Learn more if you're traveling outside the U.S- Opens in a new window.
#41
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
I thank you and durham_lad for the clarification. I could have sworn that I read on a UK government site in the last couple of years that persons collecting the UK state pension were covered by the NHS when in the UK regardless of residency. Haven't been able to find the page again so I assume the government put a stop to that.
#42
Banned
Joined: Aug 2016
Location: Cascade Mountains, WA
Posts: 1,089
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
I thank you and durham_lad for the clarification. I could have sworn that I read on a UK government site in the last couple of years that persons collecting the UK state pension were covered by the NHS when in the UK regardless of residency. Haven't been able to find the page again so I assume the government put a stop to that.
I think you are referring to this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-overseas-visitors-hospital-charging-regulations/summary-of-changes-made-to-the-way-the-nhs-charges-overseas-visitors-for-nhs-hospital-care
There is a paragraph within that which states that pensioners living in the EEA are entitled to use the NHS.
#43
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
I agree - My husband will still be a business owner in UK and paying taxes. My son has a nut allergy so being able just to get epi pens would be a godsend but doesnt look like we can. oh well, u don't ask..u don't get! (im scared to even ask how much epi pens are in USA)
There is also a generic version of the Epipen available.
Absolutely no need to pay $600 for an Epipen any more.
#44
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2017
Location: Miami
Posts: 462
Re: Leaving UK and NHS
Auvi-Q pens are free. You go online, register, they call you and ask a few questions, then send them through the post. We have 3 pairs for my daughter who has a nut allergy (and yes, we've tested the Auvi-Q pen on her and it worked).
There is also a generic version of the Epipen available.
Absolutely no need to pay $600 for an Epipen any more.
There is also a generic version of the Epipen available.
Absolutely no need to pay $600 for an Epipen any more.