Pensioner Charged With NHS Bill

The Daily Mail recently reported a case where a British woman faced a large NHS hospital bill. She had flown home for emergency treatment after contracting a life-threatening virus in Turkey where she now lives. Joyce McDonald's expectation seemed to be that because she had paid National Insurance contributions all her life she was entitled to free NHS treatment. This is a popular misconception and it is important that people who are not happy about the level of healthcare provided by the country they live in should consider international medical insurance.

Joyce McDonald had moved to Turkey on retirement but when she became poorly travelled to the UK to have treatment for heart and liver damage caused by the virus. She was treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where she spent two weeks. Mrs Mcdonald needs further treatments in the UK and it has been estimated that it will cost a further £10,000.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health was reported to say in the Daily Mail that, 'the NHS is first and foremost for the benefit of people who live in this country. People who are not ordinarily resident here are not automatically entitled to access free NHS hospital treatment. UK state pension holders living overseas are exempt from charges if they need treatment during their visit to the UK. This does not include pre-planned treatment.' This is the crux of the matter as Mrs McDonald chose to travel to the UK for treatment.

Taking out international medical insurance is one way that you can protect yourself from the effects of ill health if you are living in a country where you are not happy about the level of health cover. The Association of International Medical Insurance Providers (AIMIP) is a body which provides independent, specialist advice on individual and group private medical insurance policies for people living or working abroad.

Health Insurance News has written an-in depth article about NHS treatment rules if you work or live abroad and the NHS provides detailed information in their site. There is also more information on international medical insurance.