Crossed wires. If you return to UK to be a resident again it's free. If you have left for over 6 month's you can't return for a visit and use the NHS without paying a bill @ +150%. They are different cases. Example: If Thai expats, like me, who have lived here for years (Over 6 months) were to visit the family/kids back in UK over Christmas, returning to Thailand in the New Year, your liable for your NHS treatment @+150%. I've already linked to the UK Govt. website in a previous post; perhaps you skipped over it.