One of the things that many expatriates find shocking is that despite the fact they perhaps continue to pay their National Insurance contributions in the UK so that in theory they can claim the British state pension when they retire and have access to the NHS should they need it, they cannot automatically have access to the NHS upon their return to Great Britain.
If you’re returning to the UK and you need anything other than emergency treatment at an A & E in a hospital in Britain, you will have to wait up to 6 months, establish and prove residency before you can have access to essential services such as an appointment with a GP for example.
For expatriates who are returning from abroad where they have paid in to an insurance policy and find that it is not transferrable, this can be an impossible situation. For others who have had serious or life-threatening illnesses in the past it can be even worse. Who will insure you in the interim? And even if anyone will insure you, what will it cost? Well, hold that thought because we have some fantastic news for returning expatriates requiring healthcare in the UK.
We will admit it here and now that we knew nothing about this company or this scheme until one of our brilliant readers told us about it – and for that we apologise. Because this scheme and this solution for repatriates has been around for a while. We are very excited on your behalf because now, even if you have required care abroad for a serious condition, chances are National Friendly will be able to protect your health needs when you return to the UK…
But before we get ahead of ourselves and tell you the solution – let’s outline the problem that many returning expatriates face – because few people living abroad are even aware of what fate will befall them if they return to the UK until they are in the final planning stages of their relocation back to Britain.
Once you become non-resident in the UK you are not automatically entitled to any care and treatment on the NHS except what’s classed as emergency care such as a visit to the accident and emergency department if you fall and break your arm. So, if you’re living abroad, have private health insurance in your new nation and you decide to move back to the UK, chances are a) your health insurance provider only covers you for abroad and b) you will not be entitled to any treatment on the NHS in Britain until you have live back in Blighty for at least 6 months.
Brits returning even or a holiday should be aware of this too and carry the right type of travel insurance when they come back for a return visit. For expatriates who are retired and living on a fixed income abroad, or even those on a tight income coming back to the UK, the fact that they will not have any free cover for at least 6 months is worrying. It becomes even more worrying when you start to look at the heath insurance premiums you will have to pay with local British or international insurers for just a year’s cover in the UK…especially if you’re over the age of about 45 and/or have had any serious medical conditions in the past.
The lack of access to the NHS can be a reason for some expatriates remaining abroad even though they want to come home. However, worse and more worrying still is the fact that most returning expatriates – or so-called repatriates or repats – don’t find out about this dilemma until it’s too late and they’re back in the UK requiring a doctor’s appointment or medical care.
However, the very, very good news is that there is a not for profit company out there than can help. It’s called National Friendly and with their Healthcare Deposit Account you choose the level of cover you want, and unless you want to upgrade your cover at some point, your premiums will never go up! You don’t even need to renew your policy each year because it continues for as long as you want it to.
According to insurance adviser Stephen Walker: - “Providing you have not received treatment in the last three years for cancer or heart-related conditions, have not made a medical insurance claim in excess of £5,000 in the last two years and are not currently receiving or planning any dental or medical treatment as a result of a visit to a consultant, you get cover on a continuous cover basis with no further underwriting. In other words, National Friendly will provide cover on the same underwriting terms as a previous policy.”
This is incredibly good news for returning expatriates. Premiums start at £40 a month and you even get cash back if you don’t claim – so in a way you can’t really lose! You have the option to use the NHS when your entitlement to its services returns, a certain level of dental and optical service is included, there are cover options that include your partner and/or your children, and as well as everything from cancer treatment to diagnostic investigations being included, you can also claim for some complimentary treatments too.
National Friendly’s HealthCare Deposit Account is well worth a look if you’re thinking about returning to the UK – and tell all your friends about it too. We’re glad we were told about it!
