Hospital

[northernladyuk]

Pensioners lived their working life in UK and paid enough NI, so why should treatment on NHS be refused?

If you want to extend the scope of NHS entitlement, then that's fine, but the rules would need to be changed or else they're health tourists like the rest. Actually, in many cases it may not cost more if they live in the EEA, as I think the UK pays the country of their residency anyway.

[stek]

If you incur NHS costs while on a visit visa you have to repay 150% of the cost if you want to return, either visit or settle, not perfect but something.

[vetran]

I have a UK passport and so do around 3 million other British people who live abroad and don't pay NI contributions so I don't think that would work...

yes a 1 line proposal doesn't cover all use cases without fleshing out further so its obviously defective.

When you put the passport number into the big system with visa's it says no this is Darmy he has to pay.

[darmstadt]

yes a 1 line proposal doesn't cover all use cases without fleshing out further so its obviously defective.

When you put the passport number into the big system with visa's it says no this is Darmy he has to pay.

Could I have my NI contributions back then?

[northernladyuk]

Could I have my NI contributions back then?

No.

[vetran]

I have a UK passport and so do around 3 million other British people who live abroad and don't pay NI contributions so I don't think that would work...

Could I have my NI contributions back then?

Apparently you don't pay any see above.

[northernladyuk]

Apparently you don't pay any see above.

Think about it, boy.

[Mordac]

I have a UK passport and so do around 3 million other British people who live abroad and don't pay NI contributions so I don't think that would work...

Children, pensioners, students and those earning below the threshold don't pay NI, so the fact you haven't been paying shouldn't be an issue. As I understand it, the NHS is a resource for all Britons, regardless of contribution. Unless there is a reciprocal arrangement in place, overseas visitors should either have insurance, which should be a condition of visa entry anyway, or demonstrate the means to pay for any treatment.
All hospital admissions are recorded, they should be matched to NI numbers and hospital managers should have to explain any discrepancies. How hard can it be?

[northernladyuk]

Children, pensioners, students and those earning below the threshold don't pay NI, so the fact you haven't been paying shouldn't be an issue. As I understand it, the NHS is a resource for all Britons, regardless of contribution. Unless there is a reciprocal arrangement in place, overseas visitors should either have insurance, which should be a condition of visa entry anyway, or demonstrate the means to pay for any treatment.
All hospital admissions are recorded, they should be matched to NI numbers and hospital managers should have to explain any discrepancies. How hard can it be?

All activity is recorded against the NHS number or equivalent identifier in Scotland Wales and NI. These national indicators could be linked to NI numbers but that would not be sufficient to determine eligibility.

[Mordac]

All activity is recorded against the NHS number or equivalent identifier in Scotland Wales and NI. These national indicators could be linked to NI numbers but that would not be sufficient to determine eligibility.

Why not? If you have an NI number you are either a British national or a non-British resident who has successfully applied for one. That pretty well covers those entitled to free NHS treatment, with the exception of EU nationals covered under the reciprocal arrangements. What am I missing here?