Migrants must pay more to use NHS, say ministers

[Northerner]

Patients from outside the EU are to be charged 150% of the cost of treatment in the NHS in a fresh crackdown on so-called "health tourism".

The move is designed to incentivise NHS Trusts in England to recover the cost of operations from migrants.

The UK seeks to reclaim 100% of the cost of treating EU and non-EU nationals where charges are applicable.

But only a fraction of the £460m in chargeable procedures performed every year is currently recovered.

Most migrants and foreign visitors can currently get free NHS care immediately or soon after arrival in the UK but they are expected to repay the cost of most procedures afterwards.

The charges are based on the standard tariff for a range of procedures, ranging from about £1,860 for cataract surgery to about £8,570 for a hip replacement.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28291276

 

[Austin Mini]

When we go on holiday to Greece or Malta or anywhere we have to take out insurance to cover ourselves for the holiday duration so yes this makes a lot of sense. When my brother and his family went to live in New Zealand twenty years ago they had to have health insurance before they could set foot in the country.
Why has it taken this country so long to work this out, eh?

 

[HOBIE]

How long has that taken. The Tories are getting things done ! My wife dislocated her shoulder in Cyprus. They would not do a thing until they had the Ins docs. Screaming & in a right state.