NHS Access on 60 month Visa

Hi -

I know this question has been asked in a variety of ways (believe me I spent the last 3 hours reading thread after thread) - but I am still unclear as my exact situation wasn't specifically covered.

My wife and I are US citizens that entered the UK on a 60 month Work Visa (dependant Visa for her) and both specifically state "no recourse to public funds".  As luck would have it, we just found out we are expecting and are desperately trying to figure out how in the heck we get stared with care.  My poor assumption was that we simply needed to find a GP, get an appointment started and we would be off and running.  If we had any complications arise medically, I was confident the private insurance provided by my UK employer would then be of use.  My employer has submitted an application for me to rec. an NI number (as this is necessary to pay in my 40 percent taxes), but advised that my wife would be required to obtain hers on her own.

After reading several websites I am now convinced that we are not entitled to any NHS benefits at all! WTF -  I am freaking out here!! I assumed that paying federal taxes - federal benefits access.

You are both entitled to use the NHS.  You don't need a National Insurance number to register, that is a myth. Just go to your local GP surgery and register.

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074381

The NHS doesn't count as public funds for those on long term visas, so go ahead and register with a GP.

Here is a list of what the BIA considers public funds..you aren't allowed to access any of those.

wow!  great replies...

it seems really odd to me that i basically read totally contradictory statements to that on other .gov.uk sites.

i find that my biggest challenge here is not understaing fully how the system works.  as such, i cannot ask intelligent questions since i dont really know what i need in 'local speak' .  at the most basic level we need to see a doctor, but beyond that; NI, NHS, public funds...these are all terms that are just a big ball of confusion to me.

thank you so much!  my wife will be very pleased to hear that she won't have to give birth in the bathroom of our flat

 ; )

thank you so much!  my wife will be very pleased to hear that she won't have to give birth in the bathroom of our flat

 ; )

Definitely not!!    Check out the Pregnancy & Parenting board for more info on ante natal care etc in the UK.