Author Topic: Expat 'No deal' NHS cover  (Read 5350 times)

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Offline Maik

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Expat 'No deal' NHS cover
« on: Wednesday, 11 September, 2019 @ 16:13:07 »
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Brexit: Will Britons in the EU have to pay for NHS treatment?

We were asked by Doug Young, a British citizen who lives in the Czech Republic, if British citizens who live in the European Union (EU) would have NHS healthcare when visiting the UK, once the European Health Insurance card (EHIC) becomes invalid after Brexit.

The EHIC card would no longer be valid if there was a no-deal Brexit.

The short answer to Doug's question is: some British citizens in the EU would still get free NHS healthcare if this were to happen - and some would not.

If there's a no-deal Brexit, your EHIC card will no longer be valid.

So, what about those existing rights to free NHS treatment?

The government says that if you are a UK pensioner, student or posted worker in the EU, your rights would not change.

But, when it comes to UK citizens in the EU who rely on the EHIC card for free NHS treatment - their rights would not be protected. The UK government website, updated on 28 August 2019, says: "You should not expect to be able to use NHS services for free when visiting the UK.

"You should take out appropriate travel insurance when visiting the UK, as you would when visiting any other country."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/49592440


On the NHS website: Healthcare in Greece: Living in Greece after Brexit

Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: Expat 'No deal' NHS cover
« Reply #1 on: Thursday, 12 September, 2019 @ 08:34:23 »
Even in a no deal scenario, the EHIC could still be valid for visitors to the EU countries and to Britain, if reciprical arrangements are made with individual countries.

The EHIC is only valid for emergency treatment and visitors to other countries are always advised to include medical insurance in their travel plans.

Offline Maik

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Re: Expat 'No deal' NHS cover
« Reply #2 on: Monday, 23 September, 2019 @ 08:24:31 »
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Health cover for retired Britons in EU to last six months in no-deal Brexit
Government pledges £150m for those not covered by reciprocal arrangements if UK crashes out
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/23/health-cover-for-retired-britons-in-eu-to-last-six-months-in-no-deal-brexit

Offline Maik

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Re: Expat 'No deal' NHS cover
« Reply #3 on: Monday, 23 September, 2019 @ 21:52:07 »
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Living in Greece

Last updated 23 September 2019
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement

Healthcare after Brexit

If there is a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Greece will remain the same until the end of the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in Greece.

If there’s no deal, your access to healthcare may change. If you are a permanent or temporary resident you must review the status of your healthcare cover. You must take action now to confirm your residency status and decide how you will ensure access to healthcare.

If you currently have your healthcare costs paid for by the UK government, we can help if you are asked to pay for treatment during the first 6 months after Brexit. To organise a payment, you must give your healthcare provider’s details to the NHS Business Services Authority’s Overseas Healthcare Services.

You should read the NHS guidance on healthcare in Greece and how it may change after Brexit.

The UK has offered to continue paying the country you live in for your healthcare in the event of no deal, just as it does now. The government has proposed maintaining current healthcare cooperation with Greece for S1 form holders until the end of December 2020. If there’s no deal, and there is no arrangement with Greece to continue reciprocal healthcare, those receiving coverage through the S1 form will not be covered.

Your EHIC may not be valid if there’s no deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme if there’s no deal, however this is reliant on Greece continuing to accept UK EHICs.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-greece