Confused.

I had to go to the ER last week for a minor incident. When I checked in, I instinctively handed them my American insurance card and passport. (It was greeted with a confused look and handed right back to me without inspection.) After I was treated, I asked the doctor if I was free to go, and he said yes. (Again, a confused look.)

I am here as a work permit dependent, and so I assume we are not covered by NHS. Therefore, I'm wondering if we should be expecting a bill? 

You wont get a bill.The NHS treats just about anybody. I dont think they have time or the manpower to deal with billing in the ER. When I first moved here I went to the ER for a pain in my hip.They never asked if I was eligible for care,which I was with my work permit.I had extensive tests and even talk to a specialist. No bill whatsoever. This is one of the great things about the NHS.

You wont get a bill.The NHS treats just about anybody. I dont think they have time or the manpower to deal with billing in the ER. When I first moved here I went to the ER for a pain in my hip.They never asked if I was eligible for care,which I was with my work permit.I had extensive tests and even talk to a specialist. No bill whatsoever. This is one of the great things about the NHS.

I have to disagree , when I was here on my visiting visa, I became pregnant, and before the doctor at the hospital would see me, I had to go to the financial department and pay. Then for appointments after that,  I was sent  a bill before my next appointment and I had to go in and pay before I was seen.
 When I came back with my fiance visa, I had to go back to the department and show them my visa, so they wouldn't charge me anymore.
 If you gave them an address they will probably eventually send you a bill once they realize you aren't covered under NHS.

Like others, I had no problem going to an NHS walk-in centre when I got sick while here visiting last winter.  I was ready to pay them, but they had no clue what to do with me, so they said I was free to leave.  Never heard from them again.
EY - It may be different for emergency treatment vs. regular doctor visits.

Pregnancy is way different, Gps and prenatal are involved etc. Receiving hospital treatment in the ER is what the query was about. I had a friend that was hit by a black taxi on a visit here and they never asked him for billing info or insurance details. 

If you are here on a work permit then you are entitled to NHS treatment. Its only when you are here as a visitor that the issue of you being american might come up. Otherwise you just register with your nearest GP surgery are assigned a GP and when you need to see the Dr you call and make a appt with that GP or if necessary a emergent appt with any of the GPs in the surgery.
Kaylesh

work permits holders and their dependents are entitled to free nhs cover. go and register with your nearest GP.  you'll get a piece of paper sent to you with your NHS number.  however, i've never had to show it to anyone

Thanks for your replies. . . .

Its been about two weeks and I haven't gotten anything yet. We'll see. . . .I guess it does make sense that we would be covered by NHS, as my husband's company pays UK taxes on our behalf. I just assumed we weren't covered.

My mother came over for my wedding this summer. Her first day here she got severe stomach pains and we ended up taking her to the emergency room. They couldn't figure out what was wrong other than dehydration (she hadn't drunk much if any water on the plane) so they kept her overnight for observation and testing. She was fine by the next day and was released. She was completely amazed that she wasn't asked for any payment. You can bet she went back to the US singing the praises of the NHS!

You can bet she went back to the US singing the praises of the NHS!

I should hope so!... since i helped to pay for her treatment! 

This isnt a dig at your mum, cos obviously she didnt intend to fall ill, but i think that hospitals and GPs surgeries need to have training on what to do in these situations, so that taxpayers dont end up paying for treatment for people who aren't entitled to use the service.   As others have said in this thread, they tried to pay, but the people at the surgery/hospital didnt know what to do about it!  That is madness! 

I should hope so!... since i helped to pay for her treatment!

This isnt a dig at your mum, cos obviously she didnt intend to fall ill, but i think that hospitals and GPs surgeries need to have training on what to do in these situations, so that taxpayers dont end up paying for treatment for people who aren't entitled to use the service. As others have said in this thread, they tried to pay, but the people at the surgery/hospital didnt know what to do about it! That is madness!

I'm with you.  It may sound like a great holiday perk not to have to pay for medical care if you need it (wish we got the same kind of perk when we travel to the US...).  But it's not really an entitlement.  And it kind of upsets those of us who pay into the National Insurance when we read story after story of those getting free service.  And, yes, for them it is free because they pay into it in absolutely no way.  So none of that "free at the point of service" stuff, okay?

i remember seeing some show on the bbc where the burser (person you pay the money to) came around some hospital- visiting patients she knew/thought to be coming to the UK for medical treatment (medical holidays).  she was nicely firm about their need to pay or arrange payment before they would be discharged. 

Just curious..If a brit visits the US & needs to go to the ER, they get billed,right?

Just curious..If a brit visits the US & needs to go to the ER, they get billed,right?

You better believe it, baby!

Should've known that.. About 5 years ago I was involved in a car accident, I didn't have insurance...Guess who didn't get help?...Yup. They just put me in a room,doctor came in asked a couple questions then discharged me. No medical treatment whatsoever.