Question

This is probably in another topic but I'll ask anyway. Do you need insurance in the uk if you are sick and have to see the doctor? How about if you have an emergency and have to go to the hospital? I'm not all familiar with medical stuff in the UK. I have a few other questions but I think there were some topics about those specifically. I'll post them if I can't find my answers elsewhere.

No you don't need insurance to go to an NHS (publicly funded) doctor or hospital.  If you want to be treated by a private doctor/hospital you can get insurance for that.

How about prescriptions? I know it cost an arm and a leg to get prescriptions in San Antonio especially since I do not have insurance right now. 

Yes you do pay for those, I believe it is currently £6.50 per prescription item. 

Yes you do pay for those, I believe it is currently £6.50 per prescription item. 

Not for all prescriptions. Contraception is free.

Prescriptions for some illnesses are also free...for example those which you must take for the rest of your life in order to survive, and those for the elderly and children.

Victoria

Also, if you have a condition such as diabetes (lifelong thing), then all your meds are free -- those for the diabetes, and also for anything else.

Not all lifelong illnesses are free. I am on lifelong medications and I must pay. 
My wife is on medicines for hypoparathyroidism which is exempt and as Belindaloo already mentioned all of her other prescriptions are free as well.  (I started to post this ages ago but just confirmed this with my doctor and the chemist)

Who is entitled to get free prescriptions?
   If you are under 16 : 
   If you are under 19 and in full-time education: 
   If you are aged 60 or over: 
   If you (or your partner) gets one of the following:
   Income Support.
   Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
   Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
   If you have an NHS tax credit exemption certificate.
   Some war pensioners - if treatment is connected with the pensionable  disability.
   If you have a prescription exemption certificate 
   People on a low income who have a certificate HC2 

You do not pay for medicines prescribed while you are in the hospital.

Certain medical conditions
Although there are many conditions requiring permanent medication, only the following qualify for an exemption certificate:
   A permanent fistula requiring dressing.
   Forms of hypoadrenalism, such as Addison's Disease.
   Diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism.
   Diabetes mellitus except where treatment is by diet alone.
   Hypoparathyroidism.
   Myasthenia gravis.
   Myxoedema (underactive thyroid) or other conditions where supplemental thyroid hormone is necessary.
   Epilepsy requiring continuous anti-convulsive therapy.
   If, because of a permanent disability, you cannot leave the house without help

If you are on a lot of medicines (say 6 prescriptions in 4 months) you should look getting a PPC Prescription Prepayment Certificate costs £33.90 for four months and £93.20 for a year. This covers all your prescriptions during the period. Anyone can get this PPC.

Hope this helps. If you are not sure, always ask the chemist. Also ask if the drug is available over-the-counter. If for example you get a prescription for aspirin and you use the prescription, it will cost you £6.50 but if you buy it over the counter it'll cost £1.10

You don't pay if you're pregnant or for a year after having hte baby.

Not all lifelong illnesses are free. I am on lifelong medications and I must pay. 

Oh, I didn't know that, Bob. Thanks for clearing it up. All I knew is that my BF has diabetes and gets all his Rxs for free, so I stupidly assumed it was all lifelong conditions. I wonder how they decided which illnesses would be eligible for the freebies?

how about tmj? can treatment/meds for that be free? i think after spending $15,000 in the past year to try to make it better, i deserve a freaking break! 

Oh, I didn't know that, Bob. Thanks for clearing it up. All I knew is that my BF has diabetes and gets all his Rxs for free, so I stupidly assumed it was all lifelong conditions. I wonder how they decided which illnesses would be eligible for the freebies?

Yes that is why I just checked with my doc and the chemist cuz my wife gets all of hers free. Just in case. Well if ya don't ask ya don't get.

No idea how they decide that. What a job that must be.

You don't pay if you're pregnant or for a year after having hte baby.

And if I remember right, if your pregnant you also get free dental, is that still the case?

 

And if I remember right, if your pregnant you also get free dental, is that still the case?

You get free dental while pregnant and also a year after the birth

how about tmj? can treatment/meds for that be free? i think after spending $15,000 in the past year to try to make it better, i deserve a freaking break! 

probably not. 

probably not. 

it's a cold, cruel world