HSMP - Health insurance

[vishal_t]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone let me know the insurance concept in UK for HSMP workers - non EU.

I am entering UK later this month with my wife and infant -so would you advise me to take a health insurance post arrival or before ? Any pointers / references to good insurers are appreciated.

And what would be the appx. costs involved in a basic / extensive cover?

Thanks a lot in advance..
-Vishal

[fareedbaig]

Vishal,

You need to register with NHS (National Health Service) once you land up in UK, this will help you in covering all your medical needs in UK. Enrolling into NHS will take around 6 weeks.

NHS services are not billed to the patient, to an insurer or to the government, as happens in most other health systems around the world. Costs are met directly from general taxation.

If you want to take medical cover for initial few months till you get enrolled with NHS then you can go for international Medical insurance cover (Contact any locak insurance agency for this).

Thanks,
Fareed

[pantaiema]

If you just need medical service provide by the states, U do not need health insureance, and it is free. All U need is that once U arrive in the UK, U registes to NHS doctor.

But od course if U could take private doctor cover by insurance if U want

Hi Guys,

Can anyone let me know the insurance concept in UK for HSMP workers - non EU.

I am entering UK later this month with my wife and infant -so would you advise me to take a health insurance post arrival or before ? Any pointers / references to good insurers are appreciated.

And what would be the appx. costs involved in a basic / extensive cover?

Thanks a lot in advance..
-Vishal

[John]

Enrolling into NHS will take around 6 weeks.

I don't think that is right. You go to a GP's surgery and join. You are in the NHS! Immediately!

[pantaiema]

this is also my personal experience

Enrolling into NHS will take around 6 weeks.

I don't think that is right. You go to a GP's surgery and join. You are in the NHS! Immediately!

[antony]

That was a real useful information.

[push]

You can use services oh NHS the moment you see your GP for the first time for filling a form and basic medical screening. 6 weeks is the time, it takes for them to mal you the NHS card.

Private medical care is very costly here, but NHS provides a qite comprehensive and decent healthcare service.

Kind regards,

push_hsmp

[John]

6 weeks is the time, it takes for them to mail you the NHS card.

OK, but that does not mean that, as fareedbaig said "Enrolling into NHS will take around 6 weeks." As from the moment you sign up at the GP's surgery you are entitled to use all NHS services. Indeed it could be argued that you have that right as soon as you land in the UK.

Hopefully all this is just theoretical and will never happen in practice ..... someone flying into the UK on a visa issued because of HSMP, for example, has a suspected heart attack on the plane and on landing at the UK airport is taken straight to hospital. Pretty clear to me that they would be treated by the NHS free of charge.

Compared to ... same scenario, except the person has a visitor's visa .... most certainly a chargeable event.

[push]

You are right John and this is what I meant.

Incidentally, I fell sick almost immediately after coming to London. Fortunately I had my NHS registration appointment with a surgery coming up soon. I was given a prescription on the day of registration itself. Not just that, on request the surgery issues a letter on the same day saying that you are now registered at their surgery (I needed the same for opening a loan account with a bank).

The NHS card came 4 weeks later.

I agree with you on the visitor visa scenario.

kind regards,

push_hsmp

[SYH]

Even if you are not enrolled, they can see you urgently if necessary. I had that issue where i was enrolled elsewhere but needed to see someone due to an eye issue. In any case, the nurse asked how was I going to pay, I told her I am resident so I am covered. She didn't even blink twice and ask for proof. They are entitled to ask so if your passport has a resident sticker, then they will see you if necessary before you are registered.

[marupa]

Hi Could any one tell me the cost of applying for National Insurance once I land in UK

[SYH]

Hi Could any one tell me the cost of applying for National Insurance once I land in UK

Please reread the thread

[John]

Hi Could any one tell me the cost of applying for National Insurance once I land in UK

Do you mean the cost of applying for a National Insurance number? If that is what you mean, the cost is .... nothing!

And neither is there a cost for registering with the National Health Service.