Reply to: Expats complaining they have to pay.

[BR14]

Perhaps it's all streamlined automatically into insurance. The Swiss can on occasion be quite efficient.

on occasion, i'll give you

Keeping full cross-border insurance involved a call to the ombudsman's office.
It all became very efficient then! - before, it was 'not possible'

[NotAllThere]

Oh, i seem to remember having a swiss one when i lived there

Perhaps it's all streamlined automatically into insurance. The Swiss can on occasion be quite efficient.

[vetran]

Thanks - nice to know what's going to happen in the UK soon.

its about time.

[SueEllen]

Ireland is bringing in a Public Services Card by the back door. You now can't apply for a drivers' licence or child benefit etc.

It is defined as 'not compulsory but mandatory for public services'. There is considerable controversy, in part because of the stealthy way it has been introduced. It's worth noting that it differs from a continental ID card because there is no obligation to carry it and produce it to identify yourself in the street.

Minister says Public Services Card is 'not compulsory but is mandatory for services'

Thanks - nice to know what's going to happen in the UK soon.

[northernladyuk]

It's because of a case in the1950s where a police officer demanded one for what seemed no good reason. The judge sided with the complainant.

UK governments have tried to bring them in via the back door e.g under Bliar but there are civil liberties campaigners keeping a close eye on the government.

What's interesting though is in the UK most people normally have something e.g. a bank card, mobile phone on them where they can be identified from just not immediately.

Oh and if you go to hospital now particularly to A&E and maternity due to the abuses in the press they demand you prove where you are from. However the incompetent admins don't always collect the payment from people and they are not helped by the medical staff.

Ireland is bringing in a Public Services Card by the back door. You now can't apply for a drivers' licence or child benefit etc.

It is defined as 'not compulsory but mandatory for public services'. There is considerable controversy, in part because of the stealthy way it has been introduced. It's worth noting that it differs from a continental ID card because there is no obligation to carry it and produce it to identify yourself in the street.

Minister says Public Services Card is 'not compulsory but is mandatory for services'

[SueEllen]

the swiss and dutch have similar, but the swiss one can be had if you're living and working there.
(probably the same in other EU countries, but these are the only two i've spent any real time in).
i don't know why theres so much resistance in UK, really, there's so much surveillance under the covers anyway

It's because of a case in the1950s where a police officer demanded one for what seemed no good reason. The judge sided with the complainant.

UK governments have tried to bring them in via the back door e.g under Bliar but there are civil liberties campaigners keeping a close eye on the government.

What's interesting though is in the UK most people normally have something e.g. a bank card, mobile phone on them where they can be identified from just not immediately.

Oh and if you go to hospital now particularly to A&E and maternity due to the abuses in the press they demand you prove where you are from. However the incompetent admins don't always collect the payment from people and they are not helped by the medical staff.

[BR14]

I don't either. I have (mandatory) private health insurance. Worldwide coverage by default - although additional is advised for visits to the US.

Oh, i seem to remember having a swiss one when i lived there

[NotAllThere]

People resident in Zambia don't usually have an EHIC card though.

I don't either. I have (mandatory) private health insurance. Worldwide coverage by default - although additional is advised for visits to the US.

[BR14]

The Estonian model is pretty cool imo
https://e-estonia.com/solutions/e-identity/id-card/

the swiss and dutch have similar, but the swiss one can be had if you're living and working there.
(probably the same in other EU countries, but these are the only two i've spent any real time in).
i don't know why theres so much resistance in UK, really, there's so much surveillance under the covers anyway

[ladymuck]

ID cards are a great idea. No idea why people are so against them. No UK id or no insurance then no treatment.

The Estonian model is pretty cool imo
https://e-estonia.com/solutions/e-identity/id-card/

[BR14]

Quite right. I'm surprised they weren't insured. Whenever we visited the UK in the past 16 years, and needed to use NHS services, we always informed them that we are not entitled to free health care.

People resident in Zambia don't usually have an EHIC card though.

[NotAllThere]

NHS slaps British expat couple with £40,000 bill | Daily Mail Online



Good job NHS now do it to more people!

Quite right. I'm surprised they weren't insured. Whenever we visited the UK in the past 16 years, and needed to use NHS services, we always informed them that we are not entitled to free health care.

[Lockhouse]

ID cards are a great idea. No idea why people are so against them. No UK id or no insurance then no treatment.

[northernladuk]

hmm travelling so close to the due date?

And it's not like it's just a quick flight to Benidorm either.

[ladymuck]

nonsense Spanish docs speak better English than we do, and a lot better English than the average NHS doc

I haven't had any direct experience so can't say but I doubt language was a real barrier. They were in Benidorm, not the sticks.