Will students lose free NHS care this fall?

Hi all,

I'm planning to attend the LSE on a Tier 4 visa from the US for one year starting in September. At present, I know I am entitled to free NHS care during my studies.

Articles like this, though, have me worried: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3478692/Our-span-classredinterspannational-health-service.html [nofollow]

"And non-EU migrants may have to prove they have health insurance before being granted an entry visa. Rules on how long they need to be in the UK to qualify for free treatment will also be tightened."

Do you guys think that students will be among those losing free access to the NHS under proposed reforms? Thanks so much!

Thats just the Sun sensationalizing current stuff being proposed (outlined here: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=68393.0)

There isn't a current plan to take out NHS health care for students as far as I know, and more importantly never read the Sun. They're just silly.

and more importantly never read the Sun. They're just silly.

Exactly - I wouldn't believe anything you read in The Sun... they are a tabloid paper famous for printing sensationalised celebrity gossip and scandals and also for putting photos of topless glamour models on page 3 (which explains why it is the biggest selling newspaper in the UK)!

Right, but the reliable papers are also saying that a health insurance requirement for new visas is being considered.

Perhaps this is a bit selfish, but I was looking forward to a year (not that I have any major medical issues anyway) of not dealing with American-style insurance companies 

Dealing with the NHS is not necessarily less hassle, just a different kind of hassle if you have ongoing health issues. Not that I'm complaining.

Basically the deal is that there is a proposal to stop people who have used the NHS illegally and failed to pay from coming back to do so again. They mean that if someone came in on a visitor visa/visa waiver and got non-emergent care over £1000 but didn't pay for it, then it will have to be paid back for that person to obtain permission to come back. It's not the first time it's been proposed, and honestly no one can tell you who all will ultimately be affected until it moves forward. Just keep an eye on the forums and as more information is released someone will definitely post some clarifications here, probably Transpondia (although there are other people here very good at clarifying this stuff as it comes out.)

Don't let it worry you right now, and definitely don't believe what newsources are putting out...even the most reputable sources make their money from ads so they use evocative phrasing and misleading quotes. It's news, not necessarily information. Good luck with your studies.

They mean that if someone came in on a visitor visa/visa waiver and got non-emergent care over £1000 but didn't pay for it, then it will have to be paid back for that person to obtain permission to come back.

For those not entitled to free NHS, emergency care is just an ambulance to hospital for life threatening problems and basic treatment in A & E. Free treatment doesn't cover any operations (even from an accident) or stay on a ward. If you have a contagious disease, then you would get further cover.