The World's Health Service

[SueEllen]

Are you sure? How much would it cost to insure someone with dementia (and who'd insure them anyway?)

You are presuming they take out insurance that covers dementia. You can take out health insurance which excludes existing conditions. Immigration officers won't be checking that the vast majority of Americans and others from developed countries have valid insurance they will be concerned with those from developing countries who have a tendency to fake documents.

[woohoo]

It still won't stop people like that dumping their parent.

Perhaps we can have pictures of actual care homes in the UK, with their inspection ratings posted in airports. If they see how bad it is perhaps they will think twice.

[LondonManc]

Perhaps we can have pictures of actual care homes in the UK, with their inspection ratings posted in airports. If they see how bad it is perhaps they will think twice.

Doubtful - free second grade >>>>> extortionate first grade.

Next door's children (both 40ish) live in Texas - neighbours are reluctant to emigrate due to the living costs associated with growing old in the US.

[Mordac]

Can't see a down side - except longer queues at passport control. Are there any countries that mandate this already?

Make it the responsibility of airlines to check before boarding, as they already have to do with visas.

[VectraMan]

I would expect it to be part of the Visa Application. The Insurance would need to remain live throughout your stay otherwise your Visa becomes invalid.

So no change at passport control.

US citizens don't need visas to come here. So it's step 1: Drop the visa free agreements and insist everyone who comes to the UK has to have a visa no matter where they come from. Hire hundreds of thousands more civil servants to implement it all. Step 2: Make health insurance checking part of the visa application process; hire hundreds of thousands more civil servants to deal with the backlog of visa applications caused by the extra checks. Step 3: wonder why tourist numbers in the UK have dropped dramatically.

But at least we won't have to fund a couple of months of healthcare for one bloke.

[vetran]

US citizens don't need visas to come here. So it's step 1: Drop the visa free agreements and insist everyone who comes to the UK has to have a visa no matter where they come from. Hire hundreds of thousands more civil servants to implement it all. Step 2: Make health insurance checking part of the visa application process; hire hundreds of thousands more civil servants to deal with the backlog of visa applications caused by the extra checks. Step 3: wonder why tourist numbers in the UK have dropped dramatically.

But at least we won't have to fund a couple of months of healthcare for one bloke.

Alternatively you can just add it to the Visa Waiver and/or electronic Visa program. No XYZ standard travel insurance = no Visa. May cost a few million but it would mean we are covered against health tourism from those countries and we can profit from visitors who require treatment.

https://www.gov.uk/get-electronic-visa-waiver


If tourism numbers drop because people don't want to secure travel insurance, are you sure you want such tourists?

[SueEllen]

Alternatively you can just add it to the Visa Waiver and/or electronic Visa program. No XYZ standard travel insurance = no Visa. May cost a few million but it would mean we are covered against health tourism from those countries and we can profit from visitors who require treatment.

https://www.gov.uk/get-electronic-visa-waiver


If tourism numbers drop because people don't want to secure travel insurance, are you sure you want such tourists?

Still won't stop the stripping and dumping of sick elderly relations on the NHS.

You can easily take out insurance that doesn't cover your illnesses and lie to officials. People with dementia often aren't good in admitting there is something wrong with them.

[shaunbhoy]

This sort of thing is currently in vogue amongst Americans.

More worryingly, they have dumped a demented coffin-dodger in the Whitehouse too!!

[vetran]

Still won't stop the stripping and dumping of sick elderly relations on the NHS.

You can easily take out insurance that doesn't cover your illnesses and lie to officials. People with dementia often aren't good in admitting there is something wrong with them.

You can but if there is an expectation that they will be insured then there is an expectation they will be charged.
If when they try to charge the Insurance they refuse then they are in breach of their visa conditions.

The Insurance should cover all illnesses and if it doesn't then its not suitable to get a visa.

[SueEllen]

You can but if there is an expectation that they will be insured then there is an expectation they will be charged.
If when they try to charge the Insurance they refuse then they are in breach of their visa conditions.

The Insurance should cover all illnesses and if it doesn't then its not suitable to get a visa.

Insurance market doesn't work like that I'm afraid.