Health Insurance/Fiance Visa

For those of you over on a fiance visa, how do you handle health insurance coverage?  That's my biggest worry now...if I'm unable to transfer with my company, I'll come over on the fiance visa.  Hate the thought of not being covered even if it's 6 months max until we get married and I'm then covered on my BFs insurance.  

You know, I was told that I had no access to the NHS until Bob and I were married - and then the doctor actually said that wasn't true.

So who was correct?

I'd say if you need treatment, you wouldn't be denied.

I came over on a fiance visa and went on the NHS a few days after my arrival. I didn't use it till I hurt my leg, but no one at any point asked me why I was in the country.

We were under the impression that as long as you are here to stay you are qualified to have NHS so down we went to the local surgry to get myself registered. No questions asked and I got my NHS card in the mail a few days later.

I would say give it a go down at your local surgry once you are here. You shouldn't have any problems.

As long as you are in the country legally, you are covered under NHS as soon as you step off the plane.

Thanks a million!! This was a big concern for me.  One less thing to worry about now!

As the others said, I believe that once you are a legal resident, you are covered under the NHS, no matter what your status.  
I was concerned about giving up private insurance coverage though, so I continued on my former employers insurance through the Cobra program. I had to pay about twice as much as I did when I worked for them, so I gave this up after about 6 months.  Luckily Ive been healthy

When I called about getting my (much needed!) Depo shot this week, I was told that as long as I was living in this country, it was free and I (and my kids) would be covered under the NHS.  They didn't even ask to see those wonderful Visas I went through such hell to get to prove it.  Just gave them my address and they gave me forms to fill out...took my word that I was here to stay.

I guess misunderstandings come from the fact that in the US, government-subsidised health care is the same as welfare, which would be the equivalent of "public funds" in the UK in most of our minds.  But I guess the NHS doesn't really fall under that heading?

Oh well - I don't really care how or why - I'm just glad I no longer have to pay $60 every three months for this shot!!!