I've been going to the hospital will they bill me?

I get a new card everytime we move house/change surgeries.
Wouldnt be able to lay my hands on it at a moments notice, though....

Does everyone get this card? I was so out of it in 95 when I went into hospital, I have no idea what David told the hospital. I know the local doc at the surgery told David I should pay for his services, but we were never charged. We thought we would get a bill, but never did. After I got home a paper card arrived in my name. Does getting this card give you the right to services once you have it?

It gives you your NHS number. The information is stored on the local health authority database and if you move to a new area, it gets transferred. The number is your proof that you are entitled to NHS care.

Sorry for being a bit off topic from the thread, but my NHS number is on my birth certificate, and the last time I used NHS services was about 25 years ago, so can I assume I can resume using my old number?

bvamin

Yes if you have your old number then use it.

I am not trying to get over on the NHS because I would rather have private health care because it is better.  Which we plan on doing when he gets paid soon.

Just a small heads-up before you set your heart on going private - I believe that you have to use the NHS regardless of whether or not you have private insurance. One of my good friends is about to have a baby, and while she and her husband have hired a private obstetrician to be attendant at the birth (at GREAT expense despite their pvt. insurance), she still has to use the NHS for all other pregancy-related medical stuff. I don't have kids nor have I done any planning toward that end, so I can't speak with complete assurance though - perhaps someone who's had babies over here could confirm or deny?

I am not sure about that Anne, you might be right, but there are private hospitals where all the rich and famous give birth, like the Portland.  If you have a private GP and/or consultant & a private midwife you might not have to go through the NHS. 

We have PPP and they wouldn't consider any normal pregnancies.  Perhaps if it was a difficult pregnancy, but I'm not sure as I never asked.

Just a small heads-up before you set your heart on going private - I believe that you have to use the NHS regardless of whether or not you have private insurance. One of my good friends is about to have a baby, and while she and her husband have hired a private obstetrician to be attendant at the birth (at GREAT expense despite their pvt. insurance), she still has to use the NHS for all other pregancy-related medical stuff. I don't have kids nor have I done any planning toward that end, so I can't speak with complete assurance though - perhaps someone who's had babies over here could confirm or deny?

JK Rowling hired a private midwife to the stars (not an OB, but a midwife who has also delivered Kate Winslett's first born) and gave birth in the NHS Edinburgh Royal Infirmary just a few weeks ago.

And if something goes wrong-you'll be transferred to an NHS hospital anyway.  Not many insurances cover private ante-natal care. 

we had 2 babies privately in london (portland hospital). you don't deal with the NHS at all. i saw my ob consultant from the first pregnancy to the bitter end(s), and after.  at least at the portland, there is post-natal hospital / icu care available for problem situations, you just go to NHS if something real serious turns up with you or the child after the birth. 

and there is no question of billing at the portland; the hospital gets your hefty deposit well before the birth, and you don't leave afterwards without paying the rest

Well,  I would just like to say thank you all for your comments and I will take them all into consideration.  Although I do think that it was made into more than what I thought it would be and I was hurt by a few of your comments.  I just want to say that I got onto this web site because I thought it would be a good way of connecting with fellow Americans and those who love America.  I did not expect to find so many negative responses, although I will consider those messages too.  But like America freedom of speech is always welcome in my book even if I don't like what's being said.

Sorry you wandered into what is actually a pertinant debate. Should people who aren't entitled to use the NHS use it if they need it.  As you can see, people feel very strongly about it. 

Anyway, I'll stick with my origional advise to you-sort your visa out, the hospital is not going to refuse treatment, and they may bill you.  And as some people pointed out, they should bill you.  Seriously, you need to get this sorted, as you seem to be living here on a visitors visas, which in itself is not all that legal.  Good luck to you and please use other parts of the forum.  Stick around, you'll like it here.   

As the hospital have a private UK residential address for you, they wouldnt even think to charge you.

Unlike other countries, the UK does not consider the sick to be a purse to be plundered.  Get well soon. 
 

JK Rowling hired a private midwife to the stars (not an OB, but a midwife who has also delivered Kate Winslett's first born) and gave birth in the NHS Edinburgh Royal Infirmary just a few weeks ago.

Off topic!!  My apologies, but I'm very curious.

Kate Winslet had a caesarian with her first daughter.  Do private midwives do surgery?  I'm not as familiar with what midwives (other than IMs) do and don't do in hospital.