Eligibility for NHS for free hospitalization

[iamherbie]

Hi Guys.. Newbie here..

Good day.
I just want to inquire on regarding the Eligibility for NHS. My Fiance, which is now 7mos. Pregnant, a Fil-Brit Citizen went back to London last month and we plan to deliver the child in UK. She stayed here in the Philippines for more than 2yrs to take her Grad School. But of course she always visit London every end of her school term.

Last day, she was interviewed by the hospital to know if she's eligible. She was informed that to be eligible, the maximum stay outside UK is only 6mos. So they are asking for more documents showing why did she lived outside UK for more than 6mos, and they are asking why did she came back to UK. They are also asking for more papers like bank account, previous payslips and others...

What will be our chances to still get the her eligibility for free hospitalization and other treatment?

Any advise please.. Thank you..

[Steve.r]

What do you mean when you say she is fil brit citizen? What is her exact status in the UK?

[fred]

Steve... My Mrs is a Fil-Brit citizen too so Im assuming the OP`s Mrs is a dual Brit Filipino citizen.
I`ll have to check to see if the rules have changed but 6 months ago the only requirement was to be a British resident.. To be a British resident all you need to do is get off the plane with the intention to reside there.. Job done.
(May be different now)

[fred]

• Entitlement to NHS hospital treatment is based on ordinary residence’ in the UK, not nationality, having property in the UK or the payment of UK taxes or national insurance contributions- as has often been suggested in the press.
• Anyone not ordinarily resident in the UK is deemed an overseas visitor and is subject to the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended. These regulations place a responsibility on NHS hospitals to establish whether a person is ordinarily resident, or exempt from charges under one of a number of exemption categories, or liable for charges.
• New guidance has been issued to the NHS on how best to implement the charging regulations and most hospitals have an overseas visitors manager to oversee this. It is for hospitals to decide what evidence is acceptable in each individual case.
• Anyone who lives outside the UK for more than three months is no longer automatically entitled to free NHS hospital treatment. If the person is away on a one-off extended holiday, then they will continue to be fully entitled to free hospital treatment as soon as they return to live permanently in the UK. They will then be ordinarily resident again.
• An ex-pat who is not considered exempt from charges under the charging regulations will be charged for any treatment they receive during a visit to the UK.
• An ex-pat who resumes their permanent residence in the UK is exempt from charges immediately.

http://www.imtj.com/news/?EntryId82=199314

First thing to do is to Register everyone in the family with a local G.P.

[Steve.r]

Nice one Fred

[iamherbie]

Thank you so much guys for the feedback.. sorry for late response. Got really busy at work.
She already got feedback regarding her eligibility. They just told her that she needs to stay on UK and report to them personally every 3mos. or if ever she will leave UK, she must inform them of her whereabouts. Or else her eligibility will be void, or the hospital will charge her bills of her hospitalization.

Thanks

[Terpe]

Thank you so much guys for the feedback.. sorry for late response. Got really busy at work.
She already got feedback regarding her eligibility. They just told her that she needs to stay on UK and report to them personally every 3mos. or if ever she will leave UK, she must inform them of her whereabouts. Or else her eligibility will be void, or the hospital will charge her bills of her hospitalization.

Thanks

In principle that's the situation for everybody who is out of UK for 3 months or more.
Their getting tougher on those who leave and don't pay also.

[iamherbie]

Thanks @Terpe for the feedback.. Our next plan is for me to go to UK and stay with them. We're weighing all our options.. Can someone advise us on the best things that we may do in order for us to stay together in UK?

One our plans is for them to come back in here in the Philippines, stay for a month or two, get married and process our papers.

Thanks again in advance