minnie Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Only British residents will be allowed free healthcare (other than GP visit). Any thoughts on whether we ex-pats will be fully covered for emergency treatment via EHIC (already issued by UK authorities)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 This starts by saying 'visitors from outside Europe' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23156403Also 'Allowing anyone living abroad who has paid National Insurance for at least seven years in the past to get free treatment while on UK visits' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnie Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Thanks for the link - that seems reasonable. There was a bit of sensationalism on this morning's news when they said a general "non-British residents will be charged" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I believe that the latest position is that immediate emergency care as for an accident of heart attack etc will still be free for everybody.Follow up treatment is what may be charged for according to circumstances.I would certainly have to use my CEAM card (the equivalent of the EHIC for those covered by France) Once no longer resident in the UK I don't think I am entitled to free NHS treatment even now before the changes, although I might not be challenged as I come across as a native when I speak English[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Haven't you ever paid NI for 7 years ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 My take on this is that Brits who live abroad and who have been abroad for a while, and who do not really have strong links with the YewKay are being treated as foreigners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnie Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 WB: That was my take on it until I read RHs link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 [quote user="woolybanana"]My take on this is that Brits who live abroad and who have been abroad for a while, and who do not really have strong links with the YewKay are being treated as foreigners.[/quote]If I understand it correctly that isn't what it seems to say in the link, but it looks as if they are just at consultation stage at present Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinabee Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 If you have an S1 registered with the French authorities then you should also have a UK issued EHIC, which will allow you reciprocal access to the NHS whilst visiting the UK. This is an extract of a mail received from the Overseas Healthcare Team in Newcastle:"The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is used to obtain statehealthcare when visiting European Community Member States outside ofthe one in which you reside.People who reside in another European Union (EU) Member State may onlyqualify for a British EHIC if they receive state healthcare at theexpense of the United Kingdom (UK) under the European ReciprocalHealth Arrangements.This means that if you live in France you must have an S1 formregistered with the French Social Security to receive Statehealthcare."As far as I can tell, the UK want to charge people who do not reside in the UK but visit specifically for healthcare treatment, and/or who do not have any healthcare cover in their country of residence. So for example, people who have moved to another EU country, not registered for healthcare and so do not have any reciprocal cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Tina, in the link I gave it specifically talks about people outside the EU..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 [quote user="Russethouse"]Haven't you ever paid NI for 7 years ?[/quote]That has no bearing as far as I know.Once you no longer reside in the UK you no longer have the right to NHS treatment as you are not 'habitually resident'.In the case of British immigrants to France who have health care here paid for by the UK under an S1 that leads to the rather roundabout situation where the UK pays itself via the S1 and the EHIC card . (of course in practise many people who have moved to France may well 'forget' to mention the fact if they find themselves needing treatment while visiting the UK, but I believe I am right in principle) In my case I do not have an S1 and France pays for my healthcare so I have its CEAM card to cover me in the UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 On the link I gave from the BBC website it says 'Also 'Allowing anyone living abroad who has paid National Insurance for at least seven years in the past to get free treatment while on UK visits' That's why I asked.....It sounds as if there is someway to go with this legislation yet.....so who knows how it will end up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 From the BBC web site: The consultation document, published on Wednesday, outlines proposals aimed at cutting the cost of migrants' NHS healthcare in England.They include:Restricting free treatment for people from outside the European Economic Area citizens to those with indefinite leave to remain in the UKAllowing anyone living abroad who has paid National Insurance for at least seven years in the past to get free treatment while on UK visitsA "health levy" on migrants from outside the EEA staying for up to five years of at least £200 a year - unless they have private health coverImproving how non-EEA short-term visitors are identified and charged for hospital treatmentExtending hospital charges to GP practices and other NHS treatment for non-permanent residentsTreatment for infectious diseases and sexually transmitted infections to remain free for allImproving current "flawed" systems for enforcing current charging rulesConsidering sharing personal information relevant to NHS charges between the NHS, government departments and other agenciesU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomoss Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 The BBC report is dated 3 July 2013, and the consultation ended on 28 August 2013.This subject was done to death earlier this year on another forum.[:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Norman wrote '' In the case of British immigrants to France who have health care here paid for by the UK under an S1 that leads to the rather roundabout situation where the UK pays itself via the S1 and the EHIC card . (of course in practise many people who have moved to France may well 'forget' to mention the fact if they find themselves needing treatment while visiting the UK, but I believe I am right in principle) ''That is also my interpretation.My EHIC is issued by the UK and it is stated by the UK that it is for use in all EU countries EXCEPT France.In terms of the roundabout situation mentioned by Norman it would seem irrelevant whether people ''forget'' or not - the UK is paying either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinabee Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 [quote user="Russethouse"]Tina, in the link I gave it specifically talks about people outside the EU.....[/quote]Sorry Russethouse - I had just read an article from the Con*xion which was being discussed on another place. That one specifically mentioned expats in France so I must have mixed up the 2 articles . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprogster Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 My understanding is that the UK government want to give UK retirees with an S1 living in the EU, the option to return to the UK for health care, as that could be a more cost effective than reimbursing other EU countries for UK retirees health care costs.At the same time the S1 will no longer be made available to early reirees.I think April has been given as the possible introduction date? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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