S G K Health Insurance FIASCO - Urgent

[BM06]

UK citizens don't pay for NHS





[/quote]Really [?] so who pays for it then[?]

[Dutchie]

I meant to say that UK citizens don't pay a fixed fee on a monthly basis.
Or do they?

I was under the impression that NHS is being funded by tax money (which is of course paid by UK citizens bla bla bla).

[shutterbug]

THAT'S RIGHT, AND IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE uk FOR 6 MONTHS IN A YEAR...NOT CONSECUTIVELY, OR HAVE A RESIDENCE PERMIT ANYWHERE, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO NHS. Our colsul in Izmir, negotiated a single letter to that effect for all Brits who have residence here. Call him and see. Health issues for all UK nationals in Turkey are his responsibility.

quote:Originally posted by Dutchie

I meant to say that UK citizens don't pay a fixed fee on a monthly basis.
Or do they?

I was under the impression that NHS is being funded by tax money (which is of course paid by UK citizens bla bla bla).

[shutterbug]

And no. We have never paid a premium for health care in the UK. That program came out of the Labour party's socialistic idea that everyone is entitled to free health care, just like free education. Tax money, not insurance premium. European countries, like Germany for instance, still charge their people an insurance premium even when they are 80 and on OAP. And Turkish citizens are entitled to Turkish health cover anywhere in the world, therefore they assumed that the UK would be the same.

quote:Originally posted by shutterbug

THAT'S RIGHT, AND IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE uk FOR 6 MONTHS IN A YEAR...NOT CONSECUTIVELY, OR HAVE A RESIDENCE PERMIT ANYWHERE, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO NHS. Our colsul in Izmir, negotiated a single letter to that effect for all Brits who have residence here. Call him and see. Health issues for all UK nationals in Turkey are his responsibility.

quote:Originally posted by Dutchie

I meant to say that UK citizens don't pay a fixed fee on a monthly basis.
Or do they?

I was under the impression that NHS is being funded by tax money (which is of course paid by UK citizens bla bla bla).

[Ovacikpeedoff]

Reading most of the comments on here there is an assumption if you are out of the UK for less than 6 months you are covered by the NHS. It seems that everyone assumes that any illness they get that they can jump on a plane and fly back to the UK. Life is not like that, most illnesses are those that seem to happen immediately. Illnesses like a stroke or a heart attack need vital medical treatment immediately. The NHS does not cover you in Turkey and that is why you are told to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance.Repatriation to the UK in these circumstances are your responsibility.

So do not get blinkered with the fact that you do not live in Turkey and do not meet the requirements of the Turkish system that you are covered by the NHS. It is your responsibility to have adequate insurance.

[saoirse]

I thought it was 3 months not 6

[Scunner]

quote:Originally posted by shutterbug

THAT'S RIGHT, AND IF YOU ARE OUT OF THE uk FOR 6 MONTHS IN A YEAR...NOT CONSECUTIVELY, OR HAVE A RESIDENCE PERMIT ANYWHERE, YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO NHS. Our colsul in Izmir, negotiated a single letter to that effect for all Brits who have residence here. Call him and see. Health issues for all UK nationals in Turkey are his responsibility.

quote:Originally posted by Dutchie

I meant to say that UK citizens don't pay a fixed fee on a monthly basis.
Or do they?

I was under the impression that NHS is being funded by tax money (which is of course paid by UK citizens bla bla bla).

People using "reply with quote" are making this topic very difficult to read now. There is no need to quote the person above you. Just use quick reply, what they said will still be above you, just not 4 times in a row!!!  

[Ovacikpeedoff]

My apologies you are right it is 3 months.The information I saw on UK government websites made reference to 3 in 12 months. In theory if you go for 2 lots of 90 days in Turkey you would need to register again.

The issue is once you leave the UK even on holiday you are not automatically entitled to free healthcare. Free emergency healthcare is only available within the EEA and Turkey is not part of the area. All other costs outside of emergency treatment are the individuals responsibility and it is your resonsibility to be able to pay them.

[Big Dave]

I thought that National Insurance (NI)contributions were originally set up for Healthcare and pension provision. As the cost of these services have spiraled upwards over the years Income Tax makes up the shortfall from NI. In Turkey the proposal seems to be a single fixed sum every month to be paid by a family and all registered members of that family will be entitled to healthcare. If the contribution is means tested it will still be a fixed amount. In the UK the contribution to National Insurance and Income Tax is a percentage of salary by ALL working members of a family provided they earn over their personal allowance.

At this time Ex-pats living anywhere in the world are not automatically entitled to NHS care if they have been out of the UK for more than 3 months. However, If you are in the UK on a visit and fall ill whilst there then emergency healthcare should be provided free of charge. The decision to charge or not is at the discretion of the local health authority.

[Carolyn1957]

Don't forget in addition to NI contributions in the UK the majority of those living in England who worked are also charged a substantial sum for items on a prescription - in excess of £7 each item.

National Insurance contributions are not negotiable - other than a reduced contribution rate if you are in a private pension scheme. If however you choose, or your employer provides, private health care you still have to pay towards the NHS. Ahmet drew a similar comparison when I went with a friend into the Consulate Office in Fethiye the other day. He said he has private medical insurance but still has to pay Bag Kur.

Yes, it is 3 months out of the UK as we found when we had a letter from our GP telling us they were removing us from their lists as they believed we were now residing outside of the UK.