Are you entitled to FREE NHS treatment on a spousal visa?

Contact your local PALS.

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This is the Department of Healths guidelines as of December 2011.  The section you are looking for is on Page 24, or rather Section Reg 8(2)(e) or point 3.42.  I have highlighted the parts that apply to us

http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_131966.pdf


Regulation 8(2)(e) – Taking up permanent residence

3.42  A person present in the UK (and other designated places specified in the Charging Regulations) for the purpose of taking up permanent residence is exempt from charges. This will include former residents with a right of abode who return to the UK to resume their permanent residence. Anyone who has been granted indefinite leave to enter/remain, or has a route to settlement, will also be entitled to take up permanent residence.  This exemption category will apply from the first day that a person is in the UK in accordance with the relevant immigration requirements. Appendix 6 sets out some of the ways a person can lawfully reside permanently in the UK.  See paragraph 3.46 for spouses/civil partners/children.

Examples of evidence:
- (a) proof of right to live permanently in the UK – e.g.
- UK national or EEA/Swiss national with right of abode in accordance with the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006;
- has right of abode in the UK;
- non-EEA family member of EEA national exercising EU treaty rights;
- has a route to settlement with a spouse/civil partner/fiance visa;
- has appropriate entry clearance issued by HO, e.g. indefinite leave to enter/remain stamp in passport; and
- (b) resuming permanent residence – anything that will confirm their intention is to reside permanently e.g. –
- forging ties with the UK – e.g. acquiring housing; children are attending school; looking for work; job seeker’s allowance; application/granted benefit; transfer of assets to the UK; or  
- cutting ties with former place of residence – e.g. sale of goods and properties overseas; receipts to show shipping of goods; ending of a rental agreement; end of an employment contract.

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In my case, I had to present my passport with the stamped visa inside; a shipping label where I showed 'household items' were shipped from the US to the UK, signed by me; nursery registration for my 12mo son; and a contract agreement with a property management company who's managing our US property-- it more or less proves that the property is being rented out and that we're not permitted to occupy it while its being rented out.

Thanks!

I also am a bit concerned about this issue as I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis fairly young and the cost for medications and insurance are astronomical in the States.  I'll be married and getting my spousal visa later this year but this is yet another hurdle to deal with.  Does it cost anything to see a specialist like a rheumatologist after being referred by a GP?

I also am a bit concerned about this issue as I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis fairly young and the cost for medications and insurance are astronomical in the States.  I'll be married and getting my spousal visa later this year but this is yet another hurdle to deal with.  Does it cost anything to see a specialist like a rheumatologist after being referred by a GP?

No, but expect to be wait listed to see a specialist.  You could wait months.

I also am a bit concerned about this issue as I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis fairly young and the cost for medications and insurance are astronomical in the States.  I'll be married and getting my spousal visa later this year but this is yet another hurdle to deal with.  Does it cost anything to see a specialist like a rheumatologist after being referred by a GP?

I got my referral for a rheumatologist rather quickly. My GP wasn't comfortable treating me. I haven't made the appointment yet...I have no way of getting to the hospital other than taking three buses, and my anxiety is putting me off of doing it.
Not every medication you can get in the US is available here, but I'm pretty sure most of the RA drugs are (although they may be called something else).
If you're like me and you're on a ton of medication, I would suggest getting the pre-pay prescription card. I pay 10.40 a month for 10 months by direct debit and get all of my medication for that amount. If you don't, you pay something like 7.85 per script, which is still better than the US, but if you can pay 10.40 for it all...its a huge savings.

If you're like me and you're on a ton of medication, I would suggest getting the pre-pay prescription card. I pay 10.40 a month for 10 months by direct debit and get all of my medication for that amount. If you don't, you pay something like 7.85 per script, which is still better than the US, but if you can pay 10.40 for it all...its a huge savings.

I take preventive meds for my migraines. Where can I find more information on the pre-pay prescription card?

On my first trip over I got "trapped" by the Iceland volcano and had to go to a clinic to get an rx from my US doctor turned into a UK rx. I didn't get charged a fee by the clinic even tho I wasn't a resident. I was amazed.

I take preventive meds for my migraines. Where can I find more information on the pre-pay prescription card?

On my first trip over I got "trapped" by the Iceland volcano and had to go to a clinic to get an rx from my US doctor turned into a UK rx. I didn't get charged a fee by the clinic even tho I wasn't a resident. I was amazed.

Were you on a tourist visa?  Then you should have been.  You're not entitled to free prescriptions on a tourist visa.  Did you disclose this on your visa application?  Have you made arrangements to be billed so you can pay for the prescription?

Were you on a tourist visa?  Then you should have been.  You're not entitled to free prescriptions on a tourist visa.  Did you disclose this on your visa application?  Have you made arrangements to be billed so you can pay for the prescription?

It's possible that, under the circumstances, they considered it emergency care. 

It's possible that, under the circumstances, they considered it emergency care. 

I believe for it to be deemed emergency care has to be administered in an A&E.

I was only there on holiday - not there on a visa - it was my first visit to my now fiancee.

I am still interested in info on that prepay card - I am moving over now to be married - I leave here on Dec 4.

I was only there on holiday - not there on a visa - it was my first visit to my now fiancee.

In that case, you should have paid for the prescription and insisted that they gave you a bill for it.

In England, even if you are resident, you still have to pay for prescriptions unless you qualify for a specific exemption.

I am still interested in info on that prepay card - I am moving over now to be married - I leave here on Dec 4.

See here: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2422.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=161

Info on the prescription prepayment scheme (PPC):
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/PPC.aspx

I just signed up for this, and will pay £10.40 for 10 months by direct debit. Its a very good deal, if you need two items each month you can save around £70 with a 12 month PPC.

I was only there on holiday - not there on a visa - it was my first visit to my now fiancee.

Then you need to contact the clinic and ask for and pay your outstanding bill.

In that case, you should have paid for the prescription and insisted that they gave you a bill for it.

In England, even if you are resident, you still have to pay for prescriptions unless you qualify for a specific exemption.

See here: http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2422.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=161

I did pay for the prescription - just not the visit to the clinic.

And thank you to all for the prescription prepay info.