UK NHS Care for Expats

[chiang mai]

We/you're on their radar:

"Dr Gerada also said that Britain will experience an "explosion" of expats returning to Britain for treatment who will be "almost impossible to identify". She said: "There are a whole bunch of expats who actually live abroad and come back twice a year. They are almost impossible to identify. I would predict that there is going to be an explosion of this group. "They are going to be returning the UK and wanting the treatment that they can't afford in Spain. That's a group I would be quite worried about."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/nhs/10412971/NHS-foreigner-charge-opens-floodgates-to-criminal-gangs.html

[ukrules]

If you're registered with a Doctor in the UK and make occasional visits there's no way of stopping people from doing this.

Personally I just use the BUPA international insurance and it covers me for pretty much everything expensive everywhere in the world apart from the US.

[chiang mai]

Based on recent experience, my guess is that your doctor is more likely to update your records online to include your latest ailments, rules for visiting (not returning) expats, exclude existing conditions.

[nong38]

When I was considering moving out here in 2009 I went to the NHS in Whitehall to see what the score was and they told me then that all benefits would be mine when I reached 65, so, if I went back I would be able to avail myself of the service, I am still registered with a practice as well, they know my position but have not mentioned taking off their list, why would they they get paid by the government for the numbers on the list at the practice, I go once a year, hardly a burden on the practice.

The goalposts could be moved at any time of course, but it would be difficult if I just turned up at A & E for them to refuse me me, I have a UK address and I know my NI number, look the part and speak the language. That is, of course, if I got a problem whilst in the UK, if it were here I would have to deal with here, its a long trip home if you are in agony and would probably not be allowed on the plane.

[FiftyTwo]

At the moment those expats older than retirement age are entitled to return and use NHS services.

After 2016 all expats who have paid 10 years NI payments will be entitled to return and use NHS services.

Hardly an explosion, when the government has already decided to treat nearly everyone.

[sms747]

well if they can't identify a pregnant Nigerian women flying in for free treatment how could they hope to identify ex pats, and why should they? We are still British citizens and most pay tax on savings and pensions so I don't see what the problem is.

[chiang mai]

At the moment those expats older than retirement age are entitled to return and use NHS services.

After 2016 all expats who have paid 10 years NI payments will be entitled to return and use NHS services.

Hardly an explosion, when the government has already decided to treat nearly everyone.

My understanding is that existing conditions will not be treated, perhaps worth checking?

[FiftyTwo]

At the moment those expats older than retirement age are entitled to return and use NHS services.

After 2016 all expats who have paid 10 years NI payments will be entitled to return and use NHS services.

Hardly an explosion, when the government has already decided to treat nearly everyone.

My understanding is that existing conditions will not be treated, perhaps worth checking?

I've always found,

asking, alerts people to investigate if you are entitled.

not asking, and the thought never crosses their mind.

Best not to create problems for yourself.

[NancyL]

If you show up on British soil, sick, with a British passport, what are they going to do? Deport you?

[tonika]

I'm in the UK at present. I came back to sell my property about 3 months ago. Went to my local doctor the first week I came back for a check up. Also had the nurse take a blood and urine samples. The doctor knows I ' live ' in Thailand. Infact, I've just came back from her surgery about an hour ago, I told her I'm coming back to Thailand in November. She's getting the receptionist to phone the Hospital where I'm supposed to have minor surgery done in 2 months time, to ask if I can get it seen too, before I come back to Thailand. Absolutely no problem with her.

[chiang mai]

A visit to the local GP or simple tests doesn't seem to be a problem, perhaps it all becomes more difficult when serious problems develop and others need to be roped in to assist, surgery may be a serious issue I would guess, unless the credit catrd/cheque book is in evidence.

[meatboy]

if you leave the uk.perminant you are required to return your nhs.medical card with your name and ni.no on it so they can remove you from the system.if you dont you will be still registered.

[uptheos]

I have every confidence that if I had a serious illness or required immediate surgery, I would get it if I returned to the UK......even if I had to lay in a sleeping bag outside the Hospital's Emergency Entrance (after notifying many from the press of course). If this doesn't work just tell someone from one of the MH organisations that your'e going to commit suicide if not treated and describe your plan to them. You'll be inside before you know it.

[simon43]

... you are required to return your nhs.medical card

I never knew these cards existed! I remember having an NHS card as a young child, but since then I've never seen such a card and never had any problems obtaining treatment in the UK.

Simon

[uptheos]

... you are required to return your nhs.medical card

I never knew these cards existed! I remember having an NHS card as a young child, but since then I've never seen such a card and never had any problems obtaining treatment in the UK.

Simon

Can't recall ever seeing a card in my life, but my number is imprinted on my brain.

[sms747]

if you leave the uk.perminant you are required to return your nhs.medical card with your name and ni.no on it so they can remove you from the system.if you dont you will be still registered.

The NHS card is a joke, in 60 years I have never been asked to provide it once. I did have a GP once that had a sign on reception saying you had to bring it with you, but never asked for it. This is partly why so many people not entitled to free health care, and we all know who they are, get away with it costing billions. In any case they are just that, cards and could be forged by a Schoolboy.

If a 'poor' country like Thailand can provide cheap, fast and effective ID cards why can't the UK? This is one thing Thailand can Teach us.

[meatboy]

in 64yrs i have never been asked to show your card,that is because you are registered in the system i cant remember how i got mine but when the wife registered with the national health she got one,she says that when she registered with a doctor she had to show it.

[meatboy]

in 64yrs i have never been asked to show your card,that is because you are registered in the system i cant remember how i got mine but when the wife registered with the national health she got one,she says that when she registered with a doctor she had to show it.

you will get your nhs.card when you register with a doctor.

you have to fill in a GMS1form.

date of birth.proof of your identity,

name and address.

your unique ni.no.

when the wife registered it was her ni.no that was required before they issued her a nhs.card.

[MonkeyLoo]

^{If you have your National Insurance number you are fine. They cant refuse.}

[sms747]

A monkey could get a NI number that's part of the scandal, there are millions more NI numbers than there are meant to be people in the UK

[GBK]

if you leave the uk.perminant you are required to return your nhs.medical card with your name and ni.no on it so they can remove you from the system.if you dont you will be still registered.

Got any official source info/links for this?

[GBK]

I have every confidence that if I had a serious illness or required immediate surgery, I would get it if I returned to the UK......even if I had to lay in a sleeping bag outside the Hospital's Emergency Entrance (after notifying many from the press of course). If this doesn't work just tell someone from one of the MH organisations that your'e going to commit suicide if not treated and describe your plan to them. You'll be inside before you know it.

Except that the airlines won't take you as their insurance would be void.

You could always grab an air ambulance back for about twenty thousand quid...

[Card]

well if they can't identify a pregnant Nigerian women flying in for free treatment how could they hope to identify ex pats, and why should they? We are still British citizens and most pay tax on savings and pensions so I don't see what the problem is.

The problem is not moral right but legal right. You might think you or I deserve things but it does not make it right to get them illegally.

[Card]

If you show up on British soil, sick, with a British passport, what are they going to do? Deport you?

No they could treat you then sue you for damages if you refused to pay. If you leave the country then they may issue an international warrant of arrest through Interpol. That would look great for re-applying for your Thai visa.

[Card]

At the moment those expats older than retirement age are entitled to return and use NHS services.

After 2016 all expats who have paid 10 years NI payments will be entitled to return and use NHS services.

Hardly an explosion, when the government has already decided to treat nearly everyone.

Are you sure about this? Do you have a link to that for information? I understood you neede to be resident for several months to qualify. And do you need a residential address in the UK to qualify?

[sustento]

If you show up on British soil, sick, with a British passport, what are they going to do? Deport you?

No they could treat you then sue you for damages if you refused to pay. If you leave the country then they may issue an international warrant of arrest through Interpol. That would look great for re-applying for your Thai visa.

Not paying your bills is a civil offence. You can't be 'arrested' for it.

[fullnappy]

For the time being this is scare mongering. No UK national will be refused in the short term. Looking further out, say 2-5yrs then yes I'd say as the UK economy further deteriorates then radical changes within the NHS to deal with its bankruptcy will put a stop to this.

The day will come when public sentiment about where your money is spent will become to convenient for politicians to ignore. I hear it often in the UK now, and incidentally agree, but a change is not around the corner.

[chiang mai]

Last year I wrote a letter to Ministers Questions to try and determine whether or not I would still be covered by the NHS in the event I moved back to the UK, five months later I recieved a response. The scaenario I presented to them (and really I was merely fishing here) was a returning expat aged under 65 who was returning on a permanent basis.

The reply was a typical politicians letter that restated the obvious about paying NI contributions plus lots of other legal boiler plate, eventually the letter stated that my elligibility would be determined by the individual health care trust in the area I moved to and that I would be best advised to contact them directly. The letter then closed with the writer saying that he believed I was likely to be elligible for care and treatment based on the sceanario I had set out.

Things I already knew beforehand: emergency care is free and available to everyone, only follow up and existing conditions become questionable as to whether the treatment is free or not.

Aged over 65 and in reciept of State Pension means that the recipient is fully elligible once again.

Individual health care trusts make their own decisions on whether to treat a patient free of charge or not, there is little by way of central guidelines on this.

Any UK citizen who says they are returning to the UK to live permanently is thought to be elligble once again however, health care trusts can ask for proof that the expat has truly abandoned their overseas residence, exactly how they do this is unclear but I suspect having only a one way plane ticket might help!

[Muhendis]

This is a copy of part of the UK Govt. white paper for expats that are over retirement age:

• 12. Expatriate UK citizens who move to reside abroad currently lose their entitlement to free
• NHS treatment. They regain this if they return to live in the UK permanently but usually not
• when returning to visit. In line with the principle that everybody makes a fair contribution, we
• propose to confirm the entitlement of any person who has previously paid at least seven
• years of National Insurance contributions.

This clearly implies that you don't get it today except by lying. The rules will be changing in in line with the white paper in 2014.

[Muhendis]

Last year I wrote a letter to Ministers Questions to try and determine whether or not I would still be covered by the NHS in the event I moved back to the UK, five months later I recieved a response. The scaenario I presented to them (and really I was merely fishing here) was a returning expat aged under 65 who was returning on a permanent basis.

The reply was a typical politicians letter that restated the obvious about paying NI contributions plus lots of other legal boiler plate, eventually the letter stated that my elligibility would be determined by the individual health care trust in the area I moved to and that I would be best advised to contact them directly. The letter then closed with the writer saying that he believed I was likely to be elligible for care and treatment based on the sceanario I had set out.

Things I already knew beforehand: emergency care is free and available to everyone, only follow up and existing conditions become questionable as to whether the treatment is free or not.

Aged over 65 and in reciept of State Pension means that the recipient is fully elligible once again.

Individual health care trusts make their own decisions on whether to treat a patient free of charge or not, there is little by way of central guidelines on this.

Any UK citizen who says they are returning to the UK to live permanently is thought to be elligble once again however, health care trusts can ask for proof that the expat has truly abandoned their overseas residence, exactly how they do this is unclear but I suspect having only a one way plane ticket might help!

To prove it you need to have all the usual things like utility bills etc and also to show that you have been resident in the UK for 182 days or more.