A little worried about NHS eligibility...

Ok, I've been reading up a bit about NHS, but want to make sure I'm understanding it correctly. If you move to and work in Britain permanently (but maintain US citizenship), you are entitled to all NHS services, correct? Including dental?

What about not-absolutely-necessary-but-nice-to-have procedures/medications? How do you find out what services are covered? I have to take thyroid hormone replacement, and it seems every doctor has different ideas about which meds are best, so I'm a little worried NHS might decide they won't cover the particular meds I take.

Also, if you do opt for private health insurance, how much does it cost? Is it something employers might provide, like in the US?

If you are living here, you are entitled to NHS services.  (Heck, some people on here have been treated by the NHS while they were here on a tourist visa!)  As far as dental, you have the option of going to a "regular" dentist or an NHS dentist.  You have to register with an NHS dentist, and some may not be taking on NHS patients, so there may be a waiting list.  You can always go to a regular/non-NHS dentist for treatment, but you'll probably pay more for the service.

It's been my experience that doctors will find the closest equivalent to whatever drug you're taking.  My only experience has been with the Pill...when I first came here, I was on Ortho-Cyclen, and the doctors had never heard of it!  So, they looked up the active ingredients and prescribed me Celeste, which is really the same thing, just a different brand name.  Chances are the same will hold true for your meds.

Some employers do provide private medical coverage, but the vast majority don't.  I don't know about the cost as I just rely on the NHS at the moment.

If you move to and work in Britain permanently (but maintain US citizenship), you are entitled to all NHS services, correct? Including dental?

Yep.

What about not-absolutely-necessary-but-nice-to-have procedures/medications? How do you find out what services are covered?

This is trickier. Like the US, it is up to the person you see. If you see your GP and he says "No, sorry, you don't need those meds" but you are convinced that you do - then you see another GP. And so on and so on until someone takes you seriously. You can be denied care (I know, because I'm currently being denied care at the moment and am none too pleased with the NHS about it). You can also have a GP who is the sparkling example of all that is good with health care in general - and will give you what you need. My point: if at first you don't succeed, make a fuss and see someone else. But expect long waiting times.   

so I'm a little worried NHS might decide they won't cover the particular meds I take.

My only advice on this is to get as much as you can while you're in the US, and get *right on* the case once you get to England (I don't know if you are here yet or not, sorry) - as, in my experience, it depends on who you see. Not the country.

Also, if you do opt for private health insurance, how much does it cost? Is it something employers might provide, like in the US?

Check out the BUPA site I listed above. They won't take care of pre-existing conditions though - which, for us, made it pointless. I don't have any experience with other insurance companies so hopefully someone else here can give you alternate information.


My husband's jobs (most recent and current) offered private medical through BUPA. He still had to pay for it, out of his paycheck, but it wa minimal. I don't remember the fee though. Each company is different. Some may offer supplemental to you at no cost, others - like my husband's place of employment - off it to you at a lower rate. Like US insurance, you can also choose to just buy your own package. Check out www.bupa.co.uk and have a browse.

I have to take thyroid hormone replacement, and it seems every doctor has different ideas about which meds are best, so I'm a little worried NHS might decide they won't cover the particular meds I take.

I have a friend who lives in the UK who is on thyroid medication and she is able to get Thyroxine for it and they monitor her very closely with her thyroid. And the best part of it is that she is entitled to free medication for the rest of her life. She has a medical certificate that she obtained through her doctor and never has to pay for any medication.

Thanks for the info, everyone. Melissa, I like the quote in your signature. 

Just curious about the thyroid replacement, I've only ever heard of Thyroxine being used to treat it, what else are they suggesting?

My doctor currently has me on Synthroid, which is a synthetic version of the hormone, but a lot of people prefer Armour, which is a natural version derived from dessicated pig thyroid glands (just a slight variation on bacon, really ). Then, of course, there are the generic brands, like Levothyroxine, which are supposedly not as good.

Actually, now that I think of it, Thyroxine may simply be the name of the active ingredient in the various brands. I did a lot of research on it all when I was first diagnosed, but can't remember now.

My doctor currently has me on Synthroid, which is a synthetic version of the hormone, but a lot of people prefer Armour, which is a natural version derived from dessicated pig thyroid glands (just a slight variation on bacon, really ). Then, of course, there are the generic brands, like Levothyroxine, which are supposedly not as good.

AFAIK, you will only ever be given generics on the NHS.  Personally, I feel that the US docs telling us that generics aren't as good is just because they're in league with the pharmaceutical companies. 

My husband's jobs (most recent and current) offered private medical through BUPA. He still had to pay for it, out of his paycheck, but it wa minimal. I don't remember the fee though. Each company is different. Some may offer supplemental to you at no cost, others - like my husband's place of employment - off it to you at a lower rate. Like US insurance, you can also choose to just buy your own package. Check out www.bupa.co.uk and have a browse.

My husbands job gives the whole family private insurance. We pay less than £10 a month.

Rosie

Wow, that's incredible, Rosie.  If only it were like that in the States.

Personally, I feel that the US docs telling us that generics aren't as good is just because they're in league with the pharmaceutical companies.

You know, you're probably right!