Health care costs

Since we're coming over (me and my boys) w/out the benefit of marriage, we won't be eligible for NHS.  My question is, then, can anyone who maybe went over on fiancee visa or some other such way where they weren't covered, and who wasn't covered by their own insurance from the States, give me an idea what the basic costs are?

Specifically, I'm going to be up for another Depo shot about 1 month after getting there, and I'm curious how much it's going to cost me!!  Can't miss those  

Good question. I know that on a visit here years ago (before wife and kids were a thought) I had to see a doctor. I was charged but it was so low I thought it had to be a mistake.

As for health care you'd have to go private I think. Those rates would depend on all sorts of things. We're with Royal & Sun Alliance, but that's through work.

Well I actually beat the system as I was here as a student first, so I was already signed on with the NHS, so when I came back they didn't know any better or for that matter care that I was no longer eligable.

I did ask around a while back as I have had such a horrible time with the NHS and I was told in a shocked whisper than it could cost as much as 25 pounds a visit!!??  They also use that same shocked whisper when they say that you have to pay 8 pounds (I think) for a perscription no matter what.  I have pills that I paid 120 dollars for 30  for at home and only pay 8 pounds for about 60 here.  I would doubt if you had to pay for the birth control either, but you'd probably have to pay for the Dr visit.  There are people here in private health care and I don't think insurance for it is very expensive at all.  The main company is Bupa, so you might want to see if they have a web site, but they advertise on tv for only like 10 pounds a month, but I would suspect that is very, very basic.

DISCLAMER:  I am not a paying patient, I only play one on TV

So even if I'm just over on my passport, sneakily really living there for all intents and purposes, I can purchase private insurance?  That would be kind of good, I think.

Thanks for all the info/help/etc.!

My BF's mum can't get over the problems with healthcare coverage and costs over here.  Of course, neither can I...

My BF's mum can't get over the problems with healthcare coverage and costs over here.  Of course, neither can I...

I don't know, I never had a problem with my medical/dental coverage back in the states.  Always was covered for any ailment, procedure, or tests that needed to be done.

As for coverage here, I really don't know much about it except from what I hear from some of the locals - that the NHS is terrible and even if you have private coverage it's not the greatest.   Haven't had to need so I can't even share an experience.  As a matter of fact a man I was talking to yesterday - told me if you're planning on having a family and you're a US citizen go home and have the baby there.  I was a little shocked to say the least.  Don't really understand why he said that but I guess he had his reasons.

I am actually terrified to go into the hospital.  From what I've been told there is no such thing as a private or double room.  All patients are still kept in wards!?  I once had to go with a friend to the emergency room and we had to wait 8 hours just to be seen by the nurse!  A british friend of mine  who is pregnant said that glasgow only allows one ultra-sound!  Is that enough?  I'm sure that I read too much into to things, but I would love to hear from someone who has experienced it and tell me that I am wrong.

well, I've had three babies.  Two here(UK) and one there(US).  And I would take the UK experience any day.  The midwiive were great.  My last pregnancy I was lucky enough to see the same two midwives from my first appt.  until after the birth.  In my opinion, it's alot more mum oriented here.  I felt the US was more oriented to the doctor's convenience.  I had a scan at 12 weeks and 18 weeks,  there's alot less intervention and procedures but I'm not aware that there's any more danger to mum and baby.  Plus now there's a train of thought that too many scans are not a good thing.  

Yeah, a lot of drs here are limiting to one scan, as well, unless completely necessary.

Well, I've had all my kids here in the US, but I have had experience w/drs and w/midwives.  Loved the midwife who delivered my youngest.  But I did have like the area's best/nicest/most popular doctor for the first one, so I haven't really had a bad experience.

I guess my problem here is that since I have kids and am a single mom, health insurance - even through employers - has always cost me too much to even think about.  Sure, I'd be covered - but my kids would be left out in the cold.  Health insurance doesn't do much good if there's not enough money left over to feed them, eh?

Too poor to afford it on my own - too "rich" to qualify for any kind of subsidized health care for my kids.  And that is the US completely-private healthcare system quandry that affects - believe it or not - approximately 90 MILLION people.  And as far as vision, dental, and prescriptions are concerned - don't even think about it.

So I sit and pray that no one gets so sick a little ibuprofen or cough syrup can't take care of it...

As far as having any more babies...that is not even a topic of discussion right now!  But I'm sure that when and if the time comes, I'll just stay right there in the UK to have them.  Just the fact that someone comes to the house for the post-natal checkups instead of having to drag a poor 6-week-old baby out to an office filled w/sick toddlers is enough to sway me!!

I can't really comment on it because never had the experience of giving birth and one I like to say am not looking forward to either  .  God, all that weight gain, stretch marks..  Does the female figure ever come back??  So a midwife huh??  Umm, not to keen on a midwife experience.  For me I'd rather have my own OBGYN doctor (whom I had since I was 15) delivering my baby.

Back when we were doing our list of pros and cons of where to live,  the NHS was a big pro in the UK's favor.  Not having to worry about how much is covered is a big bonus.  Immunizations,trips to the er,speech therapy, grommits,  jeez, I've been to the GP's three times this week,  once with each  kid.  Yes, there are bona fide criticisms such as long waiting lists, not to mention the 'wait and see if it gets worse' attitude that most GPs have.  but over all I'd have to say that life here has been alot easier without the big health care worry.  

As a matter of fact a man I was talking to yesterday - told me if you're planning on having a family and you're a US citizen go home and have the baby there.  I was a little shocked to say the least.  Don't really understand why he said that but I guess he had his reasons.

He probably didn't have any idea that a regular, no problems birth in the States can cost $5,000 - and if you have no insurance...

I'd rather have to wait a bit and know it's paid than get right in and then spend the next year paying it off.

I do realise there are people complaining that people have died on waiting lists for NHS - but people in the States have died waiting for HMO's (run by people who aren't doctors) to approve medical procedures...there are pluses and minuses in every system.

Just depends on which one you're willing to live with, though.  And which one you can AFFORD to live with. :-/

I came over here on a finance visa and was allowed to get on the NHS.  I just went into my husbands surgery and one of the drs approved me, so I just filled out a form and received an NHS card in the mail a few days later.

I must say I am not a big fan of the Drs here.  I see a different dr each and everytime I go into the surgery.  In the states I had the same Dr for years and years and only ever saw that one, unless he was on vacation or ill.  Here the surgery I belong to doesn't seem to care wether I live or die, just get in what the heck is wrong and get the heck out.  Also it always takes them at least a week before they will see me.  So if I'm sick with the flu, or something I have to wait a week before I can get in to see a dr.  I'm sure every surgery is not like this one, but I would honestly rather see my dr in the states, he just seemed like he cared more.            

Our local surgery is run by two doctors.  When i went in for my intial registration I was met by a wonderful kind woman.  But when I went back because of my mirgrains kicking in I was met by the male doctor.. I thought well if I'm here I'll mention about my depression. I was in bed for 4 days (very very homesick)  He said "well since you know what is causing it , you can deal with it."  If I could have delt with it I wouldnt of been in bed for 4 days..  geeeesh.. Needless to say i wasn't too impressed with him.. I have since spoken to some of the local people who have delt with him and they prefer to speak to the woman doctor..  So I guess i'll chalk that one up to experience.  All in all thoguht  we can get right in to see the doctors when ever we want. and they do make house calls.  Plus back in the states my mirgain meds cost about $150 a month.  Here they are less than £7.00 that is a huge savings..

I must say I am not a big fan of the Drs here.  I see a different dr each and everytime I go into the surgery.  In the states I had the same Dr for years and years and only ever saw that one, unless he was on vacation or ill.

I can't comment on the service of the NHS because I've never had to experience it and therefore cannot make a fair statement about the treatment, environment, etc. in order to provide a non-judgemental opinion for myself.  But I do agree with your comment.  I do not want to see a different dr. everytime there is something wrong with me.  As for cost, I never had to pay more than $10 for any of my visits (including medicine for my migraines, surgery, to see a specialist, dentist, etc).  That's one of the reasons why I didn't go to see one when I was recently sick for a week.  I like the fact my dr. knows all my history and me as a person.  I've heard the same complaint  from many (locals and expats) about how they rush you in and out, don't spend even 15 minutes with you and you never know which dr. you will see, you have to wait at least a week to see someone.  Now, that was with the experiences I have heard of many about the NHS.  I do have one friend who has private coverage and the face she made about it along with the hand gesture -oh dear.  But that's just one opinion.  Although Glen does have private coverage through his company.  But he has to be literally crawling to see a dr.  Guess I will have to wait and see how I really feel about it when I really need it.

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to the UK with our two little boys.  He is a British citizen and I am American.  One of my concerns is the healthcare system.  I am trying to keep an open mind.  Luckily my family has been pretty healthy.  In my reading I see that preventitive care is a little less regular in the UK.  Any thoughts or comments?