NHS to charge foreign patients upfront
A new measure announced by UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is set to force non-British nationals in the UK, if not ordinarily resident, to pay upfront for non-emergency medical treatment. Patients needing emergency care will still be treated and sent an invoice later if they are not eligible for free coverage.
Expats in Britain
Effective as of April 2017, all non-emergency procedures will be billed in advance upon failure to produce the necessary identification. If you are moving to the UK or are planning to do so, ensure that you are eligible for free healthcare. If you are not, take out a health insurance policy to avoid paying all the fees yourself. If you are unable to pay for your treatment, doctors may be forced to refuse care, upon which you would have to travel home to receive treatment.
Procedures that will be affected span from knee surgeries to cataract removals, to various scans and treatments.
You will be required to present a passport or other form of ID, as well as utility bills proving you are a UK resident, so remember to always bring them with you when seeking medical care.
Britons abroad
Any UK story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Brexit, which poses serious concerns for UK citizens abroad. Other EU nations may not guarantee British expats access to healthcare once the UK leaves the bloc, and in the absence of a deal guaranteeing reciprocation, British expats may have to pay for healthcare themselves in their country of residence.
If you are planning to go back to the UK for treatment remember you will have to present documents as well to make sure you are entitled to free coverage by the NHS. If you are ordinarily resident in another country, this should not affect your entitlement to healthcare where you leave.
The vulnerable most affected
Hospitals will be held responsible for checking whether patients are eligible for free care. NGOs and other organizations have raised concerns regarding identity checks in hospitals, claiming it may discourage the most vulnerable people, such as asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, or the homeless, from seeking care. Already at risk of not seeking treatment due to fear of being turned away, the new plans are seen to only heighten this fear.
Supporters of the policy, however, have pointed out that the British government paid more than £600 million to other European nations last year for treatment of its citizens abroad, while receiving only around £50 million for healthcare costs of EU citizens in Britain. However, this claim doesn’t take into account the disparity in cost, as EU countries face significantly higher spending.
Image: National Cancer Institute
Pingback: current business ethics issues essay
Pingback: essay help
Pingback: help writing my essay
Pingback: how to write a research paper in mla
Pingback: australian essay writing services
Pingback: buy cialis drug
Pingback: viagra super active
Pingback: cialis 20mg for sale
Pingback: buy viagra
Pingback: buy cialis
Pingback: what to know about zithromax
Pingback: wat is de beste viagra
Pingback: why take viagra
Pingback: generic cialis 20 mg tadalafil
Pingback: nluhaied
Pingback: buy cialis very cheap prices fast delivery
Pingback: how much does cialis cost with insurance
Pingback: buy cialis with paypal
Pingback: cialis mail order pharmacy
Pingback: sildenafil for women
Pingback: order cialis overnight delivery
Pingback: cialis pill used for
Pingback: buy levitra fast delivery
Pingback: https://luxuryshavingrazors.com/
Pingback: GCLUB
Pingback: Kereta Sewa di Shah Alam
Pingback: concrete polishing
Pingback: Stock Market Economy Gold Analysis Prediction Rate Cuts 2019
Pingback: gazebo
Pingback: agencia de viajes en managua
Pingback: crypto exchange
Pingback: nsfw reddit
Pingback: forum
Pingback: forum
Pingback: uncensored hidden wiki link
Pingback: Male Escorts Hong Kong
Pingback: http://cena-pozycjonowania.pl/piornik-jednokomorowy-z-wyposazeniem-minnie-1651.php
Pingback: http://varneyroofing.com
Pingback: خرید آنتی ویروس کسپرسکی
Pingback: R Kelly and Gayle King Interview Skit
Pingback: ihaelu bikinis
Pingback: เข้าเล่นgclub
Pingback: Manifestation
Pingback: Funny dog and cat animal videos
Pingback: Income Tax Services
Pingback: Car TV Show on History
Pingback: รับทำเว็บไซต์
Pingback: Skrota bil fullmakt
Pingback: Sheet music for any instrument
Pingback: www.bovada.club/bovada-accounthttp://www.bovada.club/bovada-poker#useful reference
Pingback: blog lifestyle homme
Pingback: ts escorts
Pingback: geektv online
Pingback: Been In A Car Accident?
Pingback: Escort Istanbul
Pingback: GVK bio sciences news
Pingback: GVK bio sciences nacharam
Pingback: Live casino malaysia
Pingback: agen bola
Pingback: hardware
Pingback: noosa electrician
Pingback: Dianabol(methandrostenolone) powder
Pingback: high quality Caco-2 Assay
Pingback: in vivo pk studies
Pingback: mp3 download skull