Hospital treatment on Tier 1 but still unemployed

I just arrived on a Tier 1 visa and am still looking for employment.  I may be needing hospital treatment soon for a preexisting condition.

I will try to go to a surgery in my area to register today and I think I will be able to--I called and they are asking me only for a passport and proof of address, both of which I have.  So I think I will be able to get an NHS medical card soon.

I know that technically I need to be employed in order to access hospital services (Per NHS website: "Please note that to be exempt from NHS hospital charges on this basis you must be in employment at the time you receive treatment.  If you are here on a work visa but currently unemployed you will be charged for your treatment, unless you are otherwise exempt from charges.")  But realistically, what is the likelihood that I will be asked for proof of employment at the time of treatment?) Is there a possibility that I can get hospital treatment without a job? Does anyone have any experience with this?

You won't be dennied treatment, but you will need to pay for it if the law requires you to.

Thanks. My question more specifically is -- do surgeries typically ask for proof of employment (for work visa holders) at the time of hospital treatment? Would this be usual protocol?

I'd especially like to hear from any work visa holders who have been hospitalized-- were you asked for proof of employment at the time of treatment?

Thanks. My question more specifically is -- do surgeries typically ask for proof of employment (for work visa holders) at the time of hospital treatment? Would this be usual protocol?

I'd especially like to hear from any work visa holders who have been hospitalized-- were you asked for proof of employment at the time of treatment?

Just FYI, I actually think it's pretty awful that you came to the UK with a pre-existing condition that needed treatment and are now looking for ways to circumnavigate the law to get free medical care you're not entitled to.

I find it really unfair that they let people into the country who are not willing to follow the laws of the country they're in. If you weren't willing to, then I don't believe you should have come.

You're not entitled to NHS treatment without payment until you're in work, therefore you should pay for any treatment you get, as your condition is pre-existing you knew full well about it and the rules for NHS before you moved over. You weren't (god forbid) in an accident or got unexpectedly ill.

Sorry if I've been a bit harsh, but it makes me sad when I think of all the genuine people on here who would obey the laws of the UK, but who can't get over as the Tier 1 rules are so tight.

Thanks. My question more specifically is -- do surgeries typically ask for proof of employment (for work visa holders) at the time of hospital treatment? Would this be usual protocol?

Some do, some don't- we've had a few threads on this-
http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=50250.0

Whilst you may "get lucky" and not be asked and even "get away" with it-  its really deception of the law - and you won't find anyone here on UKY who condones illegal activities.   So if you find that you're going to be hospitalised before employment commences, it's in your best interest to "stump up the cash".  Its unfortunate the way the law works, but that's how it is.  Pay into the system, be entitled to the system (currently. This new govt is changing all that)

Just FYI, I actually think it's pretty awful that you came to the UK with a pre-existing condition that needed treatment and are now looking for ways to circumnavigate the law to get free medical care you're not entitled to.

I find it really unfair that they let people into the country who are not willing to follow the laws of the country they're in. If you weren't willing to, then I don't believe you should have come.

You're not entitled to NHS treatment without payment until you're in work, therefore you should pay for any treatment you get, as your condition is pre-existing you knew full well about it and the rules for NHS before you moved over. You weren't (god forbid) in an accident or got unexpectedly ill.

Sorry if I've been a bit harsh, but it makes me sad when I think of all the genuine people on here who would obey the laws of the UK, but who can't get over as the Tier 1 rules are so tight.

Hello. Thanks for your response. FYI, my condition was one that I thought had been treated prior to me coming here, but unfortunately and unexpectedly has relapsed. I didn't come into the country to circumvent the rules and am here to find employment as is the intent of the Tier 1 visa.

I was only asking because I may need hospital treatment soon and to see what my options were-- whether I should just take any sort of job just to be able to produce this proof of employment.

I was only asking because I may need hospital treatment soon and to see what my options were-- whether I should just take any sort of job just to be able to produce this proof of employment.

If you don't meet the conditions of receiving NHS and happen to find a GP that is failing to do the proper checks to make sure you are employed and entitled to receive NHS treatment for free...you're violating the terms & conditions of your visa and will run into problems trying to renew your visa by abusing the NHS system (using it when you're not entitled), your extension could be refused and you could be banned from entry to the UK in the future as receivng NHS services when not entitled to is a SERIOUS reason for refusal.

In order for Tier 1's to receive NHS you must be in employment. Simple.

FYI, my condition was one that I thought had been treated prior to me coming here, but unfortunately and unexpectedly has relapsed.

I'm sorry to hear this. It can be scary being a new country and needing to go into hospital. 

whether I should just take any sort of job just to be able to produce this proof of employment.

That would be in your best interest (don't know if any sort of job violates the tier 1 visa, instead of the highly skilled stuff you're here for?  Or maybe it just when you're going to renew due to lower wages?) - that way you're at least employed and paying into the system and not illegally using the NHS.

Good luck and I hope all is OK with your condition 

In order for Tier 1's to receive NHS you must be in employment. Simple.

Slightly off-topic, but I just wanted to double check: does this apply for all Tier 1s?

I'm currently on a Tier 4 with the intention of switching to T1 PSW in a few months. Provided that happens, does this mean I'll need to secure employment prior to using the NHS again? I've been having some testing done in an attempt to diagnose a condition and am somewhat reliant on medication. I would hate to have to put everything on hold if I'm not employed right away.

Slightly off-topic, but I just wanted to double check: does this apply for all Tier 1s?

I'm currently on a Tier 4 with the intention of switching to T1 PSW in a few months. Provided that happens, does this mean I'll need to secure employment prior to using the NHS again? I've been having some testing done in an attempt to diagnose a condition and am somewhat reliant on medication. I would hate to have to put everything on hold if I'm not employed right away.

No, because there is a second line in the DHS regs that says if you've been resident in the UK for 12 months legally then you're entitled as well.

So as long as your student status was for a period of 12 months before you received T1PSW then your eligibility to NHS will continue -- strange thing is that someone else asked me this exact same thing not too long ago.

Anyway, here's the post from that topic: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=50250.msg861107#msg861107

TBH, I think that if you take "any sort of job," then you may be following the letter of the law, however Tier 1 visas are meant to be for highly skilled workers who have a lot to contribute to the economy and to the workforce.  Stocking shelves at ASDA just so you can get free health care is abusing the spirit of Tier 1 and of the NHS restriction.  What you should do is pay for your care (as I said before, you will receive care regardless of your visa status) until you can find a skilled job and start contributing to the system.  However, "any sort of job" will technically allow you to access free NHS service. 

No, because there is a second line in the DHS regs that says if you've been resident in the UK for 12 months legally then you're entitled as well.

So as long as your student status was for a period of 12 months before you received T1PSW then your eligibility to NHS will continue -- strange thing is that someone else asked me this exact same thing not too long ago.

Anyway, here's the post from that topic: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=50250.msg861107#msg861107

Many thanks, Weby! 

I don't know what your condition is....but being in a new country, unemployed and facing hospitalization.....I hope everything is ok....

 

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I just have one more question.

The website makes it clear that a work visa holder cannot access free hospital treatment without being engaged in employment.  However, what about primary care? The website mentions that it is at the GP's discretion whether to accept you on the patient list or not, but makes no mention if the visit will be free or for pay. 

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

Thanks everyone for all the replies. I just have one more question.

The website makes it clear that a work visa holder cannot access free hospital treatment without being engaged in employment.  However, what about primary care? The website mentions that it is at the GP's discretion whether to accept you on the patient list or not, but makes no mention if the visit will be free or for pay.  

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

A GP doesn't have to accept a patient on their list if they don't want them, although I doubt they would refuse a private patient unless they took exception to their behaviour. A GP can also remove a patient from their list if that patient has been verbally abusive to staff or threatened violence or carrried out violence.

Entitlement to NHS free treatment, is dependent on the terms of your visa.

Edited to insert this link about patients rights
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/health/nhs_patients_rights.htm#GPremovespatientfromregister

You should also be aware that the government are now paying private firms for every person they find that has claimed from the government, but didn't have the right to do so. From reading the internet forums from people who have recieved these notices, some of these cases go back years.