crispysince70

Just spent the last hour in Bupa trying to sort out private health cover for mum, who is living here on a bridging visa whilst waiting for her 804 to process.

Basically the only cover they provide is the visitor insurance, however, this is only applicable to under 70’s. ( she’s 72 )

Her worry now is, as she hasn’t been back to the Uk in years,  and her Medicare card ( yellow ) runs out next year, what happens when the reciprocal cover runs out?

Our understanding of the reciprocal cover, is that you need to be residents of the Uk for at least 6 months to qualify for this.

So, does this mean that she will have to live back in the UK for 6 months?

Thanks Marisawright

I also thought that they must be wrong regarding the EHIC card, but the lady down there was quite insistent about it, so this link is great!

So, regarding the knee op, do you think that she should ring the lady from the hospital back, and explain that she is on a bridging visa, and therefore was under the impression that she would not be able to receive treatment in a private hospital, only a public hospital?

Not sure where to go regarding this, as maybe it is dependent upon circumstance? We are in Tassie btw, where the hospital system is under serious pressure at the moment, and all necessary surgeries are going down this route ( from what i understand )

Thanks

Hi

I recently headed down to centrelink with my mother to re-new her medicare card that had expired. ( mum lives here on a bridging visa whilst waiting for an 804 aged parent visa )

So, she was told that she needed a EHIC card in order to renew the medicare card as it has been more than 5 years since she moved her from the UK and also, that she is not to be treated in a private hospital.

However, when looking to get another EIHIC card the requirement is that you are resident in the Uk to receive it.

Just to confuse things further, when she got home, she had a call from the hospital telling her that the knee operation that she needs has been outsoursed to a private hospital and will be getting a date shortly for surgery.

Ok, so through previous experience with centerlink, I know that sometimes they don't get it right.  Does anyone have experience of this problem?

I have less teeth than i used to have. Luckily they are at the back.

chris x