Guest The Pom Queen Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 OVERSEAS visitors and migrants who require accident and emergency treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) in England are to be charged, the British government has announced. The move forms part of an extension of the NHS charging regime in England intended to deter so-called "health tourism" while recouping up to STG500 million ($A934.67 million) a year for the taxpayer. Under the proposed changes, migrants and overseas visitors will have to pay for primary care services such as minor surgery carried out by GPs, while prescription charges will be extended. There will also be higher charges for services which are subsidised for patients entitled to free NHS treatment - such as optical and dental care. Ministers say that no one will be turned away from an A&E department in an emergency, but there will be a bill to pay afterwards for those from overseas. Consultations with GPs and nurses will remain free of charge, to ensure initial access remains to prevent public health risks such as TB, HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Details of the scheme are still being worked out, and ministers have said they will publish a full implementation plan in March. Health Minister Lord Howe said: "Having a universal health service free at the point of use rightly makes us the envy of the world, but we must make sure the system is fair to the hard-working British taxpayers who fund it. "We know that we need to make changes across the NHS to better identify and charge visitors and migrants. Introducing charging at primary care is the first step to achieving this. "We are already looking at taking action and next year we will set out our detailed plans to clamp down on the abuse of our NHS." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest66881 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Too little way too late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobj Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Women from the West Indies were going over to the UK to have their babies on the NHS waaay back in the late 50's and 60's. Cheers, Bobj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest66881 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 My wife and now my eldest work in the NHS and both say the same thing, too many just 'popping' in for free treatment and knowing it, hands tied what can we do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Yes but i am presuming it also means if we go back to the UK to visit family as citizens we won't be able to get health cover. Also I thought UK and Aus had the reciprocal agreement does it affect this now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest66881 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 The bottom bit of your post says they are looking at 'abusers of the system', i see that as the non English speaking family members from outside the UK who visit 'family' only when ill, not a racist comment but factual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Surely it makes sense to have travel insurance, even if you think you have reciprocal health cover . I landed in UK having had a bad fall in Africa on the way there, and there was no problem to see a GP, but even though it was urgent that I saw a specialist quickly, I had been operated on in Nairobi, it would have been at least 6 weeks on the NHS to see someone. Whereas it was instant to go private. I'm not saying private is better it's just that if you are on holiday in UK you don't necessarily have the time to wait to see someone. Obviously I'm not commenting on an emergency situation when you must be treated at once, but there was no way I was there long enough to wait 6 weeks to see someone. I totally agree that there is a lot of abuse of the system and it needs to be tightened up, I think lots of countries insist on seeing your health cover before they will treat you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Surely it makes sense to have travel insurance, even if you think you have reciprocal health cover . I landed in UK having had a bad fall in Africa on the way there, and there was no problem to see a GP, but even though it was urgent that I saw a specialist quickly, I had been operated on in Nairobi, it would have been at least 6 weeks on the NHS to see someone. Whereas it was instant to go private. I'm not saying private is better it's just that if you are on holiday in UK you don't necessarily have the time to wait to see someone. Obviously I'm not commenting on an emergency situation when you must be treated at once, but there was no way I was there long enough to wait 6 weeks to see someone.I totally agree that there is a lot of abuse of the system and it needs to be tightened up, I think lots of countries insist on seeing your health cover before they will treat you. I can't get travel insurance though, can't even get life insurance now. I just thought if I went back to the UK in the future for a holiday I would be covered, now I'm not to sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth 666 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I can't get travel insurance though, can't even get life insurance now. I just thought if I went back to the UK in the future for a holiday I would be covered, now I'm not to sure Without knowing the specifics, I do know you've had a pretty rough ride recently. Just a suggestion but have you looked into getting an Amex card and booking travel through them? They provide travel insurance which is pretty wide ranging and might cover you. Like I say, I don't know your exact situation but it could be worth a look? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nic1171 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 The NHS is supposed to claim back the money from the country where the person originates from so not necessarily a charge to the individual, and this has been the case for at least 20 odd years probably longer. However it hasn't been chased up properly hence the NHS is owed millions from other countries. There's a new drive to be more stringent on this which will hopefully help the NHS recover. It may have its faults but I miss it now I'm in Oz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I can't get travel insurance though, can't even get life insurance now. I just thought if I went back to the UK in the future for a holiday I would be covered, now I'm not to sure I'm sorry PQ I didn't know that insurance was refused for anyone. I know you have had a rough time and only ever wish you well. I was really trying to make the point that if you are in UK for a short time then it might not be possible to see an NHS specialist in the time scale. picking up on your point about not being able to get travel insurance, that is potentially a problem for us. Even though we are British citizens, because we only have a temporary visa here (410 retirement visa) we are not entitled to any NHS when we are back in UK, a) because we no longer live there and b) because we aren't eligible for Medicare so no reciprocal for us. It's good to be aware of potential problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I think payment makes people think "do I really need a doc" My friend and I were discussing this morning and we came to the conclusion, we were born as the war ended and National Health came in UK. Our parents were not used to just going to the doctor as they came from an era when they had to pay so they did not use National Health that much using the usual old methods of treatment of colds and coughs etc. So both of us do not remember seeing a doctor much if at all as children in UK. Now everyone is using it willy nilly for even the smallest things, I think I read where people ring an ambulance for all sorts of silly things. We cannot go on with such high expectations of health outcomes unless we are going to put our hands in our pockets, either personally or by tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I'm sorry PQ I didn't know that insurance was refused for anyone. I know you have had a rough time and only ever wish you well.I was really trying to make the point that if you are in UK for a short time then it might not be possible to see an NHS specialist in the time scale. picking up on your point about not being able to get travel insurance, that is potentially a problem for us. Even though we are British citizens, because we only have a temporary visa here (410 retirement visa) we are not entitled to any NHS when we are back in UK, a) because we no longer live there and b) because we aren't eligible for Medicare so no reciprocal for us. It's good to be aware of potential problems. Hi Hun, I have private health insurance but I don't think it covers me for overseas travel. With travel insurance they usually let you take it out but won't cover for any existing problems or anything that happens that could be related in some way. So in effect it is pointless me taking it out. I just automatically presumed that if I needed to be rushed in to A & E in UK I would be covered. I know when mum was visiting me she in Aus she had to go to hospital and didn't pay a penny. If you ever went back to the UK to live for good then I presume you would once again become eligible for NHS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish.01 Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Hi Hun, I have private health insurance but I don't think it covers me for overseas travel. With travel insurance they usually let you take it out but won't cover for any existing problems or anything that happens that could be related in some way. So in effect it is pointless me taking it out. I just automatically presumed that if I needed to be rushed in to A & E in UK I would be covered. I know when mum was visiting me she in Aus she had to go to hospital and didn't pay a penny. If you ever went back to the UK to live for good then I presume you would once again become eligible for NHS? "rushed in to A & E in UK I would be covered"...would be surprised if this was removed for Australian residents unless they tear up the reciprocal agreement. Most likely just applies to non agreement countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Hi Hun, I have private health insurance but I don't think it covers me for overseas travel. With travel insurance they usually let you take it out but won't cover for any existing problems or anything that happens that could be related in some way. So in effect it is pointless me taking it out. I just automatically presumed that if I needed to be rushed in to A & E in UK I would be covered. I know when mum was visiting me she in Aus she had to go to hospital and didn't pay a penny. If you ever went back to the UK to live for good then I presume you would once again become eligible for NHS? Yes we possibly have to prove we have we are there to stay, but it's the last thing we want to do. We love living here. Our visa is now for 10 years renewable. One of our 3 now has PR and if our daughter stays we would pass the balance of family test, so it could be an option. A friend of mine managed to get travel cover with major health problems. I will ask them when they return from UK what cover they managed to get and let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 "rushed in to A & E in UK I would be covered"...would be surprised if this was removed for Australian residents unless they tear up the reciprocal agreement. Most likely just applies to non agreement countries. Thanks Hun this is my only concern, if the new regulations only apply to non agreement countries then I'm all for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlesarah Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Hi Hun, I have private health insurance but I don't think it covers me for overseas travel. With travel insurance they usually let you take it out but won't cover for any existing problems or anything that happens that could be related in some way. So in effect it is pointless me taking it out Personally, I take out travel insurance to cover anything that may happen while travelling. So although your existing medical problems wouldn't be covered, you could at least know that if you suffered accident or injury at some point you would be able to access care wherever you were. I doubt that reciprocal agreements will go out of the window - I think a lot of this is to do with the way in which overseas visitors are recorded & billed. Certainly my experience working in community health was that whether we could provide treatment, & if so how it would be paid for was really not clear. I guess they may look at introducing up-front payment, which would then shift the onus onto the home country to reimburse the costs of treatment. I really don't know what the current mechanism for reciprocal care is. But I doubt that Australian residents account for a huge proportion of 'health tourists'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 The bottom bit of your post says they are looking at 'abusers of the system', i see that as the non English speaking family members from outside the UK who visit 'family' only when ill, not a racist comment but factual. Or could it be that is how they will initially sell it in order to win over a sceptical public while having a bigger, far more impacting plan to reduce NHS costs by importing greater costs at point of use for ever more consumers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I agree with Petals. I LOVE Paying for GPs, seriously.. I am feeling a bit sick today, so I called the doctor down the road from my work half an hour ago (not the one I am registered with), and made an appointment for lunchtime (TODAY)... for the grand total of $69, half of which will be returned to me via medicare... I would much rarther that than my old UK doctor.... this is how it goes.... ring ring, ring ring... Hi, could I make a doctors appointment for today please..., I am sorry sir the next available appointment is a week on Friday... grrrr... by that time you are better or you are dead... yes you can get up at the crack of dawn and overplay your case to get an emergency appointment but that shouldnt be what you need to do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flathead Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I agree with Petals. I LOVE Paying for GPs, seriously.. I am feeling a bit sick today, so I called the doctor down the road from my work half an hour ago (not the one I am registered with), and made an appointment for lunchtime (TODAY)... for the grand total of $69, half of which will be returned to me via medicare... I would much rarther that than my old UK doctor.... this is how it goes.... ring ring, ring ring... Hi, could I make a doctors appointment for today please..., I am sorry sir the next available appointment is a week on Friday... grrrr... by that time you are better or you are dead... yes you can get up at the crack of dawn and overplay your case to get an emergency appointment but that shouldnt be what you need to do... Strange.....I was in England last year and saw my son's GP on three occasions and was seen within hours each time. I also had to attend A+E and was seen within half an hour and referred to a specialist who I saw the same afternoon. ......and didn't have to pay for any of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pommyaussie Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I agree with Petals. I LOVE Paying for GPs, seriously.. I am feeling a bit sick today, so I called the doctor down the road from my work half an hour ago (not the one I am registered with), and made an appointment for lunchtime (TODAY)... for the grand total of $69, half of which will be returned to me via medicare... I would much rarther that than my old UK doctor.... this is how it goes.... ring ring, ring ring... Hi, could I make a doctors appointment for today please..., I am sorry sir the next available appointment is a week on Friday... grrrr... by that time you are better or you are dead... yes you can get up at the crack of dawn and overplay your case to get an emergency appointment but that shouldnt be what you need to do... Agree 100% - would rather pay and get seen to when I'm ill than a week away when I'm likely to feel better. Recently went to Dr's - got seen to straight away, specialist appointment within a month, a CT scan and two MRI's within 4 weeks. Now receiving treatment plans based on diagnosis. IMO Australian system is by far the best system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Wow certainly not like that in Wolverhampton, My 5 visits to A and E over the years (not always me as patient), shortest wait 3 hours, usually its 4... and you can never get a doctors appontment in a reasonable time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flathead Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Wow certainly not like that in Wolverhampton, My 5 visits to A and E over the years (not always me as patient), shortest wait 3 hours, usually its 4... and you can never get a doctors appontment in a reasonable time Perhaps you have to choose where to live carefully......much like in Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Strange.....I was in England last year and saw my son's GP on three occasions and was seen within hours each time. I also had to attend A+E and was seen within half an hour and referred to a specialist who I saw the same afternoon. ......and didn't have to pay for any of it certainly not like this in the west country either..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flathead Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 certainly not like this in the west country either..... Was like that in Derbyshire......same day guaranteed appointment. My recent experience was in Ely and the A+E in Mansfield.....seems you were unlucky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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