National Insurace

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Permalink Reply by Zo Zo on March 8, 2009 at 12:45pm

the national health service, we pay our taxes which gives us your health service, if you lived in britain properly then you would not have to pay or anything, i think it's the same where you are a visitor but not too sure.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen Gobin on March 22, 2009 at 4:04am

Hi

Check out this government website:
http:// www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors...

If you are going to be working for an employer or working on a self-employed basis in the UK, it's free.

People here in the UK do complain about the National Health Service (NHS), but for us diabetics I have found that it has its compensations in that all our treatment is free (in-patient, out-patient, GP surgeries, blood/urine tests, X-rays, fundoscopy, everything) and I am genuinely grateful that we have such a health care system and have had it since just after the Second World War. As a diabetic in the UK, you are also entitled to a "Medical Exemption Certificate" (ask your GP about how to get one), which means that you do not pay for your prescriptions and that includes prescriptions for non-diabetes related medication. When you pick up a prescription at the pharmacy all you have to do is present your "exemption certificate" to the pharmacist or assistant (the certificate is like a credit/bank card, but it doesn't contain any digital information).

As a diabetic, you are also entitled to free eye tests at any high-street optometrist's (to check your vision - not for retinopathy purposes), but you have to pay for any new glasses or lenses. Dental treatment is the only other thing that you have to pay for. If you register with an NHS dentist, you have to pay £16.20 (I think that's the current fee) for a check-up and tooth cleaning. If you need further dental work you obviously have to pay for it. If you go to a private dentist you will pay considerably more.

It really is not necessary for you to take out private medical insurance in the UK provided you fulfil the conditions to receive NHS treatment free of charge (see the link above). It would be a waste of money and as a diabetic the premiums would obviously be higher than for someone without an existing medical condition.

Stephen

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Permalink Reply by Kris on March 28, 2009 at 4:43am

I believe it's the same if you are coming over to study too.

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