Healthcare for US wife whilst we visit UK

[westguard 0]

Sorry if I picked the wrong discussion forum but I couldn't find one more appropriate

My wife and I married last November and we were wondering if anyone had any experience of visiting the UK with regards to healthcare for US Citizens married to UK Citizens?

We are going to Scotland and the closet Blue Cross healthcare center is in Edinburgh (about 2 hours from where we are).

My question is, as she is now my wife, would she be covered under the NHS as I would? This would make obtaining healthcare a bit more convenient - in the unlikely event we will need it

Thanks!

Mark

[Kez/JWolf 6]

As you are no longer a resident of the UK you are not covered under the NHS anymore you too will need health insurance if you are sick.... the UK will cover emergency treatment in a ER but not inpatient care or routine visit to aq doctor....

Tougher restrictions will apply to those living outside the EU. They will be ineligible for NHS services if they are abroad more than three months a year. A lifetime's National Insurance contributions will count for nothing.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jht...03/22/helf1.xml

So you will both need health cover....

Kez

[westguard 0]

Thats true! I forgot I had left too! I signed a form with the UK tax office to say I'd gone forever and they kindly post my tax returns to my US address now and have issued me with a bog standard tax code!

We both have Blue Cross health insurance which we can use internationally.

So if I can't get NHS I will have that to fall back on.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Yep I have blue cross too and it is very good coverage for international.... I called their helpline and asked them to send me info about the international coverage so I would know how it worked incase we ever needed to use it... they sent a good leaflet telling you what you need to do to claim and giving you the international phone numbers....

Kez

[Mags 112]

This is probably better suited to the UK Forum, so I'll move it there...

[Leney 0]

In 2006 we were visiting my hubby and our youngest son had an asthma attack and was hospitalized, NHS took care of everything without a question of residence ever being asked (and he did not previously have an NHS card) - I am not sure exactly what was said or done, because my mother-in-law was kind enough to take care of it since I was by his side in hospital the entire time. But I guess recently changes have been made in the residency requirements.

I would suggest getting travelers insurance if she is prone to illness and you are concerned about NHS not covering.

[Amby 490]

won't the NHS treat you and not charge you if something happens to you while you're visiting the UK? I never worried about it lol I just winged it without insurance every time

[MargotDarko 0]

Emergency treatment is given to everyone no questions asked on the NHS as far as I'm aware. As a visitor I once had a doctor's appt and was given prescription for antibiotics and paid the normal price (6 something quid) when I went to my now-hubby's GP. They asked me a few questions but I think since I said I was staying at a residence with UK citizens for a few weeks they thought it was fine. Dunno if they were just being nice though!

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I think it depends on where you are in the UK and what treatment you are getting... I know we spoke to a lady on our way home to the US who had had a car accident she was from the UK but lives in Boston... she was not charge for the emergancy treatment at the hospital but she was given a very large bill, when she was discharged to cover the cost of her stay, lucky she was covered by her insurance ... it was her that told us about Blue Cross giving international coverage.... so it can and does happen...

Kez

[Dan and Lynne 0]

my OH fell off a horse, shattered his wrist and damaged a vertebrae, he was admitted for a week and not charged a penny for xrays, treatment or the stay in hospital.

they even gave him a nice (not) back brace to protect his back on the flight home.

i suppose it depends on which hospital you are admitted to.

[pucklechurch 0]

I've looked after many US students in Oxford over the years and have taken them on some occasions up to the John Radciffe to be patched up after some alcohol related accident. No charge, ever (and that includes, in some cases, a lengthy ambulance ride).