draxdrax

Ive recently moved back to the US from London and need to use my NHS card for insurance here as I dont have any. I was told I can use it here as others do but have no idea who to. If anyone can help, that would be lovely. Thanks.

dreamercon

NHS card does not work in the United States.

tonrob

Using your NHS card to get treatment in the US? I think you have been misinformed.

draxdrax

But Brits and Europeans come here daily so they must be able to use it for medical emergencies or a doctor visit. My friend who is European said you can use it here but you have to fill out some form. Otherwise thousands of people visit who have no coverage so there has to be some way.

dreamercon

Yes - thats why most tourists buy their own insurance prior to coming here.
If you dont, you are taking the risk upon yourself.

Besides, you say you "moved" here - NHS generally only covers those visiting other (European and a few other) countries who live in Britain (with few exceptions).

tonrob

Refer back to posts #2 and 3.

Jerseygirl

I'm sorry but your post gave me a good chuckle. You will have to arrange your own insurance because your NHS card is of no use in the US...BTW it's no use to you in the UK as you are no longer a UK resident.

If you've lived here before surely you know that arranging healthcare insurance is probably the most important thing to look into before moving.

md95065

Why "must they" be able to use it?

Yes - it's called "buying travel insurance" ...

Bob

The only use the NHS card will have to you is proving that you have had continuous healthcare coverage without a break so that you can get private insurance here.

It's no use for actual treatment, that's what travel insurance is for, or in the case of a move here, getting your own insurance either through work or privately...

Sally Redux

Yes and if you call 999 in an emergency a nice British Bobby will rush to your aid

Rete

Actually I think I know where your friend's advice might have come from. At one time, a Canadian snowbird would be able to get medical care using their Canadian health plan. The doctor/hospital would then send the bill to the Canadian health plan and would be paid. I know my sister and brother-in-law did this all the time. Then the Canadian healthcare payment to US doctors/hospitals was stopped and then had to purchase private healthcare if they were going to be in the US for the winter and/or at minimum get travel healthcare insurance.

ian-mstm

+1

Yup... that's what my folks did, until OHIP stopped allowing it. At that point, they moved back to Canada permanently.

Ian

Duncan Roberts

Is this a joke or are you serious? If you are serious I would tell people its a joke so you dont look quite as stupid.

dbj1000

Certainly gave me a good laugh. Nice one OP!

MsElui

you are possibly confusing the E111 scheme - which allows a uk resident to get reciprocal treatment at any other European country. This scheme does not extend to the USA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europea...Insurance_Card


OR

you are confusing the fact that some people use their previous UK status and eligibility for the NHS to claim they have been in 'continuous' health insurance cover and thereby not have to have exclusions on the health insurance policy here. They still have to buy a policy here but use their nhs coverage as proof of previous cover and end up with more cover than they might have been able to get otherwise.