UK Visitors and NHS Health Services
I am aware that visitors can receive emergency treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) for free. For ordinary services, the person must pay a bill, and if the total amount due is more than £500, the person can be refused visas (or removed from port).
All of that is known already. My question is whether or not the person has to (i.e., MUST) pay 'up front' before non-emergency services are provided.
Question: Will they actually charge you "up front"?
Secondarily, if a person has a payment due of less than £500, and interest on the payment eventually accrues to a amount over £500, will the same sanctions apply? I.e., is the ban subject to the original payment or to the current amount due?
uk health standard-visitor-visas
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
|
show 5 more comments
I am aware that visitors can receive emergency treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) for free. For ordinary services, the person must pay a bill, and if the total amount due is more than £500, the person can be refused visas (or removed from port).
All of that is known already. My question is whether or not the person has to (i.e., MUST) pay 'up front' before non-emergency services are provided.
Question: Will they actually charge you "up front"?
Secondarily, if a person has a payment due of less than £500, and interest on the payment eventually accrues to a amount over £500, will the same sanctions apply? I.e., is the ban subject to the original payment or to the current amount due?
uk health standard-visitor-visas
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
1
For non-emergency procedures, ie elective procedures, yes they can charge up front (and there is a big push on at the moment to stop foreigners from skipping out on their bills).
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:14
1
However, you simply arent going to get on a waiting list for non-emergency procedures - you cant simply walk into an NHS hospital and ask for something to be done, you have to be referred by a GP, and those referrals can take months, even years for non-urgent procedures.
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:15
1
You can get emergency care without paying up after the fact?!
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez quite sure you can't, but that isn't part of the question ;). Although I may add that note to my answer.
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez primary care is always free, I am trying to find out about what happens after the person is moved out of the emergency room to a ward or what-not.
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:30
|
show 5 more comments
I am aware that visitors can receive emergency treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) for free. For ordinary services, the person must pay a bill, and if the total amount due is more than £500, the person can be refused visas (or removed from port).
All of that is known already. My question is whether or not the person has to (i.e., MUST) pay 'up front' before non-emergency services are provided.
Question: Will they actually charge you "up front"?
Secondarily, if a person has a payment due of less than £500, and interest on the payment eventually accrues to a amount over £500, will the same sanctions apply? I.e., is the ban subject to the original payment or to the current amount due?
uk health standard-visitor-visas
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
I am aware that visitors can receive emergency treatment from the National Health Service (NHS) for free. For ordinary services, the person must pay a bill, and if the total amount due is more than £500, the person can be refused visas (or removed from port).
All of that is known already. My question is whether or not the person has to (i.e., MUST) pay 'up front' before non-emergency services are provided.
Question: Will they actually charge you "up front"?
Secondarily, if a person has a payment due of less than £500, and interest on the payment eventually accrues to a amount over £500, will the same sanctions apply? I.e., is the ban subject to the original payment or to the current amount due?
uk health standard-visitor-visas
uk health standard-visitor-visas
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
edited Mar 9 '17 at 8:53
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
asked Mar 7 '17 at 19:09
Gayot Fow
75.1k21196379
75.1k21196379
1
For non-emergency procedures, ie elective procedures, yes they can charge up front (and there is a big push on at the moment to stop foreigners from skipping out on their bills).
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:14
1
However, you simply arent going to get on a waiting list for non-emergency procedures - you cant simply walk into an NHS hospital and ask for something to be done, you have to be referred by a GP, and those referrals can take months, even years for non-urgent procedures.
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:15
1
You can get emergency care without paying up after the fact?!
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez quite sure you can't, but that isn't part of the question ;). Although I may add that note to my answer.
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez primary care is always free, I am trying to find out about what happens after the person is moved out of the emergency room to a ward or what-not.
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:30
|
show 5 more comments
1
For non-emergency procedures, ie elective procedures, yes they can charge up front (and there is a big push on at the moment to stop foreigners from skipping out on their bills).
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:14
1
However, you simply arent going to get on a waiting list for non-emergency procedures - you cant simply walk into an NHS hospital and ask for something to be done, you have to be referred by a GP, and those referrals can take months, even years for non-urgent procedures.
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:15
1
You can get emergency care without paying up after the fact?!
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez quite sure you can't, but that isn't part of the question ;). Although I may add that note to my answer.
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez primary care is always free, I am trying to find out about what happens after the person is moved out of the emergency room to a ward or what-not.
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:30
1
1
For non-emergency procedures, ie elective procedures, yes they can charge up front (and there is a big push on at the moment to stop foreigners from skipping out on their bills).
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:14
For non-emergency procedures, ie elective procedures, yes they can charge up front (and there is a big push on at the moment to stop foreigners from skipping out on their bills).
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:14
1
1
However, you simply arent going to get on a waiting list for non-emergency procedures - you cant simply walk into an NHS hospital and ask for something to be done, you have to be referred by a GP, and those referrals can take months, even years for non-urgent procedures.
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:15
However, you simply arent going to get on a waiting list for non-emergency procedures - you cant simply walk into an NHS hospital and ask for something to be done, you have to be referred by a GP, and those referrals can take months, even years for non-urgent procedures.
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:15
1
1
You can get emergency care without paying up after the fact?!
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
You can get emergency care without paying up after the fact?!
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez quite sure you can't, but that isn't part of the question ;). Although I may add that note to my answer.
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez quite sure you can't, but that isn't part of the question ;). Although I may add that note to my answer.
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez primary care is always free, I am trying to find out about what happens after the person is moved out of the emergency room to a ward or what-not.
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:30
@JonathanReez primary care is always free, I am trying to find out about what happens after the person is moved out of the emergency room to a ward or what-not.
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:30
|
show 5 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Before I get to your question, there is one important note to make to what you've said in your question. As a non-resident, you are not entitled to free emergency treatment from the NHS. Instead, you may be invoiced (depending on nature of the emergency) after the service and will be obligated to pay it before you can return to the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in learning more, please open a separate question.
As Jeremy Hunt, current Secretary of State of Health announced every NHS trust will have to charge the non-residents upfront for the use of NHS services. Who classifies as non-resident is defined in Immigration Act 2019 s.39. As it is within his powers, granted under National Health Service Act 2006 s.175 (and similar legislation for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), there is no reason to think that they will not be enforced.
Now as a matter of immigration, we have to check Paragraph 320 (22) of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules which states:
(22) where one or more relevant NHS body has notified the Secretary of
State that the person seeking entry or leave to enter has failed to
pay a charge or charges with a total value of at least £500 in
accordance with the relevant NHS regulations on charges to overseas
visitors.
Seems to suggest that only the actual charges count towards that number. But to find for sure, we must inquire into General grounds for refusal. It once again doesn't mention in any section about the interest in any form, so it sounds rather firm that only the original charges count towards the limit.
It also raises an interesting point:
Refusal on the basis of NHS debt is discretionary rather than
mandatory. You must consider the following before refusing on the
basis of NHS debt:
you must be satisfied that there are no
compelling or compassionate circumstances or human rights
considerations that would make refusal inappropriate because
discretion should be exercised in the person’s favour
Which means that while having NHS debt will most likely warrant a refusal, if there are extenuating circumstances severe enough to counterbalance this fact a person may be granted entry despite the debt.
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
1
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
1
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "273"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2ftravel.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f89458%2fuk-visitors-and-nhs-health-services%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Before I get to your question, there is one important note to make to what you've said in your question. As a non-resident, you are not entitled to free emergency treatment from the NHS. Instead, you may be invoiced (depending on nature of the emergency) after the service and will be obligated to pay it before you can return to the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in learning more, please open a separate question.
As Jeremy Hunt, current Secretary of State of Health announced every NHS trust will have to charge the non-residents upfront for the use of NHS services. Who classifies as non-resident is defined in Immigration Act 2019 s.39. As it is within his powers, granted under National Health Service Act 2006 s.175 (and similar legislation for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), there is no reason to think that they will not be enforced.
Now as a matter of immigration, we have to check Paragraph 320 (22) of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules which states:
(22) where one or more relevant NHS body has notified the Secretary of
State that the person seeking entry or leave to enter has failed to
pay a charge or charges with a total value of at least £500 in
accordance with the relevant NHS regulations on charges to overseas
visitors.
Seems to suggest that only the actual charges count towards that number. But to find for sure, we must inquire into General grounds for refusal. It once again doesn't mention in any section about the interest in any form, so it sounds rather firm that only the original charges count towards the limit.
It also raises an interesting point:
Refusal on the basis of NHS debt is discretionary rather than
mandatory. You must consider the following before refusing on the
basis of NHS debt:
you must be satisfied that there are no
compelling or compassionate circumstances or human rights
considerations that would make refusal inappropriate because
discretion should be exercised in the person’s favour
Which means that while having NHS debt will most likely warrant a refusal, if there are extenuating circumstances severe enough to counterbalance this fact a person may be granted entry despite the debt.
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
1
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
1
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
add a comment |
Before I get to your question, there is one important note to make to what you've said in your question. As a non-resident, you are not entitled to free emergency treatment from the NHS. Instead, you may be invoiced (depending on nature of the emergency) after the service and will be obligated to pay it before you can return to the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in learning more, please open a separate question.
As Jeremy Hunt, current Secretary of State of Health announced every NHS trust will have to charge the non-residents upfront for the use of NHS services. Who classifies as non-resident is defined in Immigration Act 2019 s.39. As it is within his powers, granted under National Health Service Act 2006 s.175 (and similar legislation for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), there is no reason to think that they will not be enforced.
Now as a matter of immigration, we have to check Paragraph 320 (22) of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules which states:
(22) where one or more relevant NHS body has notified the Secretary of
State that the person seeking entry or leave to enter has failed to
pay a charge or charges with a total value of at least £500 in
accordance with the relevant NHS regulations on charges to overseas
visitors.
Seems to suggest that only the actual charges count towards that number. But to find for sure, we must inquire into General grounds for refusal. It once again doesn't mention in any section about the interest in any form, so it sounds rather firm that only the original charges count towards the limit.
It also raises an interesting point:
Refusal on the basis of NHS debt is discretionary rather than
mandatory. You must consider the following before refusing on the
basis of NHS debt:
you must be satisfied that there are no
compelling or compassionate circumstances or human rights
considerations that would make refusal inappropriate because
discretion should be exercised in the person’s favour
Which means that while having NHS debt will most likely warrant a refusal, if there are extenuating circumstances severe enough to counterbalance this fact a person may be granted entry despite the debt.
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
1
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
1
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
add a comment |
Before I get to your question, there is one important note to make to what you've said in your question. As a non-resident, you are not entitled to free emergency treatment from the NHS. Instead, you may be invoiced (depending on nature of the emergency) after the service and will be obligated to pay it before you can return to the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in learning more, please open a separate question.
As Jeremy Hunt, current Secretary of State of Health announced every NHS trust will have to charge the non-residents upfront for the use of NHS services. Who classifies as non-resident is defined in Immigration Act 2019 s.39. As it is within his powers, granted under National Health Service Act 2006 s.175 (and similar legislation for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), there is no reason to think that they will not be enforced.
Now as a matter of immigration, we have to check Paragraph 320 (22) of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules which states:
(22) where one or more relevant NHS body has notified the Secretary of
State that the person seeking entry or leave to enter has failed to
pay a charge or charges with a total value of at least £500 in
accordance with the relevant NHS regulations on charges to overseas
visitors.
Seems to suggest that only the actual charges count towards that number. But to find for sure, we must inquire into General grounds for refusal. It once again doesn't mention in any section about the interest in any form, so it sounds rather firm that only the original charges count towards the limit.
It also raises an interesting point:
Refusal on the basis of NHS debt is discretionary rather than
mandatory. You must consider the following before refusing on the
basis of NHS debt:
you must be satisfied that there are no
compelling or compassionate circumstances or human rights
considerations that would make refusal inappropriate because
discretion should be exercised in the person’s favour
Which means that while having NHS debt will most likely warrant a refusal, if there are extenuating circumstances severe enough to counterbalance this fact a person may be granted entry despite the debt.
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
Before I get to your question, there is one important note to make to what you've said in your question. As a non-resident, you are not entitled to free emergency treatment from the NHS. Instead, you may be invoiced (depending on nature of the emergency) after the service and will be obligated to pay it before you can return to the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in learning more, please open a separate question.
As Jeremy Hunt, current Secretary of State of Health announced every NHS trust will have to charge the non-residents upfront for the use of NHS services. Who classifies as non-resident is defined in Immigration Act 2019 s.39. As it is within his powers, granted under National Health Service Act 2006 s.175 (and similar legislation for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), there is no reason to think that they will not be enforced.
Now as a matter of immigration, we have to check Paragraph 320 (22) of Part 9 of the Immigration Rules which states:
(22) where one or more relevant NHS body has notified the Secretary of
State that the person seeking entry or leave to enter has failed to
pay a charge or charges with a total value of at least £500 in
accordance with the relevant NHS regulations on charges to overseas
visitors.
Seems to suggest that only the actual charges count towards that number. But to find for sure, we must inquire into General grounds for refusal. It once again doesn't mention in any section about the interest in any form, so it sounds rather firm that only the original charges count towards the limit.
It also raises an interesting point:
Refusal on the basis of NHS debt is discretionary rather than
mandatory. You must consider the following before refusing on the
basis of NHS debt:
you must be satisfied that there are no
compelling or compassionate circumstances or human rights
considerations that would make refusal inappropriate because
discretion should be exercised in the person’s favour
Which means that while having NHS debt will most likely warrant a refusal, if there are extenuating circumstances severe enough to counterbalance this fact a person may be granted entry despite the debt.
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
edited Mar 7 '17 at 22:33
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
answered Mar 7 '17 at 21:28
Tymoteusz Paul
1,924416
1,924416
1
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
1
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
add a comment |
1
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
1
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
1
1
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
V nice answer +1
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:29
1
1
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
@GayotFow so I didn't fall into the bear trap that is hidden somewhere?
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 22:31
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Travel Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.
Please pay close attention to the following guidance:
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2ftravel.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f89458%2fuk-visitors-and-nhs-health-services%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
For non-emergency procedures, ie elective procedures, yes they can charge up front (and there is a big push on at the moment to stop foreigners from skipping out on their bills).
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:14
1
However, you simply arent going to get on a waiting list for non-emergency procedures - you cant simply walk into an NHS hospital and ask for something to be done, you have to be referred by a GP, and those referrals can take months, even years for non-urgent procedures.
– Moo
Mar 7 '17 at 19:15
1
You can get emergency care without paying up after the fact?!
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez quite sure you can't, but that isn't part of the question ;). Although I may add that note to my answer.
– Tymoteusz Paul
Mar 7 '17 at 21:36
@JonathanReez primary care is always free, I am trying to find out about what happens after the person is moved out of the emergency room to a ward or what-not.
– Gayot Fow
Mar 7 '17 at 22:30