Here on student visa- need more health coverage than NHS- what to do?

Hello all,

I've just arrived here on a full-time student visa. After doing a little research, I found out that many of my chronic health conditions will NOT be covered by NHS. I have interstitial cystitis, hypothyroidism, PFD, and IBS. Of these, only hypothyroidism is covered.

My school has said they will let me loan additional funds to cover private healthcare. I am looking into options for private insurance- but I'm overwhelmed. I could keep my insurance I had in the States, which is excellent insurance and DOES work living here- however, I'd have to pay for everything out of pocket  upfront and wait 30-45 days to be reimbursed. That's how the plan works for international providers. This sounds like it might prove impossible in some cases (I know that some of my treatment last year could come to thousands of dollars in one day- depending on the test/procedure).

Can anyone guide me towards insurance here that would cover pre-existing conditions and that I would not have to pay for things upfront? Really, the last thing I want to do is spend my limited time here battling with an insurance company. I'd like to just find something that would work as painlessly as possible.

Also, does anyone know if me taking private health insurance will "cancel out" my NHS coverage- ie, if I break my arm or something, right now, NHS would completely cover it- if I had private insurance, would it have to be billed, and would I end up spending extra money this way? In the States you can usually only have one type of health coverage at one time.

I'm confused. Who told you those won't be treated on the NHS?

The NHS website itself. I can't find the link again right now, but it was pretty explicit. Because I am on a student visa, and the conditions are pre-existing, they are not covered. At least, that's what it said.

Makes sense, too- otherwise anyone with a costly chronic condition, or something that needed surgery, etc could skip on over here on a student visa and still end up saving money in the long run even with the cost of international tuition!

Are you going to be resident less than 6 months, because that's all I'm seeing.

Also, I should add, that I would like private insurance- these medical conditions make it very hard to just to leave the house or live life at times, and are all exacerbated intensely by stress. The last thing I need is the stress of waiting for a month or two(or much longer?) to get into see a specialist who may or may not end up even being able to help me.

I've spent the last year, in the States, with about as good as insurance as you can buy, seen upwards of 12 specialists. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of all sorts of tests (different types of xrays, ultrasound, MRI, labs, etc etc). If one specialist couldn't help me, I could have an appointment with another the same week. Insurance covered all of it, didn't need any referrals. I'm so much better now- can't imagine having accomplished so much within NHS, where I hear all these stories of months of waiting and having to fight to get tests done. I may have diagnoses now, but I still don't have a complete handle on treatment of all these chronic, incurable conditions, which makes having top of the line and easily accessible health care important!

Nope, for a year. I promise I found it. I also talked to an NHS nurse about it on phone. I'll look for the link

In the States you can usually only have one type of health coverage at one time.

I had double coverage through two insurance providers for my entire life.

But I've asked DB about private health insurance here, and he said something about BUPA, but he doesnt seem to know much else about it.

I had double coverage through two insurance providers for my entire life.

Oh! Didn't know this was possible! I've had major trouble with insurance companies getting freaked out and denying me because they thought I still had my other insurance. I've had friends with similar experiences. Must only be some providers/situations.

I've tried to do some digging, but the only site I came up with that says anything about international students and preexisting conditions is this...

But even that says

6. What if I have a diagnosed condition or awaiting diagnosis?
If when you come to University you have a pre existing condition, are already under the care of a ‘specialised’ team either receiving treatment or waiting for an appointment, it is still advisable to register at the Freemen’s Common Health Centre.  On arrival, once registered, make an appointment to discuss with one of the G.P.’s who will then be in a better position to help while you are here in Leicester and to communicate with the relevant doctors.

If you require more specialised or hospital services you will need to be referred by a G.P.

  (I take it Freemen's Health Centre is the one on the university campus there.)

From another site, I found the Health Protection Agency's Migrant Health Guide to NHS Entitlements , which pretty much says everyone can use the NHS, and the Department of Health which says

Under the current Regulations, anyone who comes to the UK to pursue a full-time course of study of not less than six months’ duration, or a course of study that is of any duration but is substantially funded by the UK Government, will be fully entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England.

(emphasis mine)

Hope this helps...

Well, I think you need to be absolutely sure about the NHS thing. NHS staff are NOT the ones to tell you this though. I know some of the rules have changed since I was over there so I'll take your word for it if you're sure. I would hope your uni could also guide you to some more info. I used to work for the private health insurance industry in the UK and they all almost universally do not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions. The only exceptions I saw were people lucky enough to work for big companies with big budgets who had corporate plans that *might* exclude pre-exisiting conds or cover really chronic stuff. Even then, it was hit or miss.

Unless things have changed within the industry to address new laws affecting int'l students and the NHS (which they may have, hence your problem), British private health insurance is (was?) NOT ever designed to cover chronic conditions.

Also, let's assume for the moment that you are wrong and you can get the NHS. Private insurance may offer you some queue jumping ability, but not always. Frequently, you'll see the same staff anyway. The ability to get immediate appointments and see multiple specialists quickly is not guaranteed even with private insurance.

Like I said, things may be changing within the industry if the NHS no longer covers folks like you. So what I'm tellin you *may* be outdated. If so, ignore me.

If not, the best advice I can give you is to have all your medical records ready to show your GP. Even under private insurance, the first port of call is almostm always an NHS GP. Also, you will have to be your own advocate. There are several people on this site dealing with chronic conditions. It is a bit of a post code lottery. Some struggle to get taken seriously, others adore the NHS. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Whatever link you read sounds like a load of rubbish or maybe you misunderstood. I'm on a student visa and I have never been 'declined' nor forced to go private for anything even my grave's disease. In fact, I think I get better care because of my pre-existing condition. The NHS is not like US health insurance where they can deny you coverage based on your situation, pre-existing conditions etc. I made sure to check the new NHS provisions earlier this year and know that there weren't any changes for those, like me, who were studying in the UK for more than six months.

From Department of Health http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074400

Under the current Regulations, anyone who comes to the UK to pursue a full-time course of study of not less than six months’ duration, or a course of study that is of any duration but is substantially funded by the UK Government, will be fully entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England.

Citizens Advice Bureau http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_family/health/nhs_charges_for_people_from_abroad.htm

You can receive free NHS hospital treatment if you:...are a student following a course of study which lasts at least six months, or a course that is substantially funded by the UK, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland Governments.

You said that you were studying for a year? Then you should be absolutely covered.

Yes, private health insurance here hasn't changed that much since you have been away Balmerhon.   

It still doesn't cover pre-existing or chronic conditions. 

Ok, sounds like private UK healthcare is a no-go.

But my existing coverage in the states- which is a very good plan- still might be a good idea? I mean, as a backup plan really- if I have significant trouble getting my prescriptions re-filled here, or some of the medications aren't even available, etc, I can always deal with that type of stuff on a visit home.

Does anyone know if keeping my plan back home will in ANY way effect my eligibility for NHS? Or how I can find this out? When I try to find information about this type of thing on the internet, or even contact info, it is proving to be an uphill battle.

No. The NHS doesn't care about insurance in other countries. 

Does anyone know if keeping my plan back home will in ANY way effect my eligibility for NHS? Or how I can find this out? When I try to find information about this type of thing on the internet, or even contact info, it is proving to be an uphill battle.

It shouldnt affect your treatment - but once you register with your GP theyll be able to discuss your issues better. US private health care (and medicare) and the NHS are two different things and have no ties with each other. Like your US credit history, youre health paper trail doesnt really follow you to the UK. Id highly recommend bringing all recent paperwork with you and giving it to the GP/Surgery. Theyll be able to read through it and get an understanding of your current treatment.

Once you enter on your student visa, you are eligible for all treatments prescribed/recommended to you.

If you want to bring copies of your information back home with you (so your US doctors can see what treatment has been provided to you) there will be a cost to get a copy of your medical records (from free to £100 fee depending on surgery/receptionists mood)

PS Googling for some info and it brought this back:
http://www.city.ac.uk/international/international-students/international-student-advice/living-in-london/healthcare

To be able to use NHS health services, you need to register with a local doctor as soon as possible after your arrival in the UK.

You are strongly advised to have a medical check-up before you arrive in the UK. If you suffer from a chronic illness, you should arrange treatment before you commence your studies, as pre-existing conditions may not be treated free under the NHS.

Is this what the OP is querying?

Which seems to be a strange statement.