NHS Fees Confirmed

I am so so surprised that you cannot be tested under the NHS for skin cancer! I was under the impression that anything cancer related was dealt with quickly.

In my experience, the rule is that the patient must present to the GP with a suspicious-looking mole or skin lesion.  If the GP agrees it looks dodgy, the patient would be referred to a consultant who would look at it again and possibly do a biopsy.
I find that everything looks suspicious and I'd be at the surgery every month to show them the latest bump or spot!  I'm also concerned because my aunt (in US) has just had a carcinoma removed from inside her ear after her dermatologist looked there. Who can look inside their own ear or would have any reason to suspect something there!

Soooo....what exactly *does* the NHS cover? From reading this thread it seems like anything major and you're on your own.

Soooo....what exactly *does* the NHS cover? From reading this thread it seems like anything major and you're on your own.

Well anything from a cold all the way through to the worst possible situation. It's why almost any talk about it starts with acknowledgement that it is something very special. Which it is.

But there are "oddities" that have developed - some mentioned by Susan above. Dental treatment is a separate thing. Teeth are part of the body....but somehow not.

Some things are considered "elective" at some times, and not at others. For instance this guy I know had a huge ugly looking cyst on his shoulder.....they wouldn't do anything for it. Once it was infected they treated it.

Some say it is great at "acute" but not quite so good at "chronic". Mental health treatment for example is pretty scarce.

Some say it is great at "acute" but not quite so good at "chronic". Mental health treatment for example is pretty scarce.

That's a good way of putting it.  They are extremely good at things like heart attacks and cancer.  Not so good at preventative care (which would include dental care)

As I said, my GP is great and genuinely concerned about my skin considering my history.  But a routine skin check is not done on the NHS.  As BD said, if you have a specific mole that you concerned with, you'll be referred, etc.  I've had two melanomas removed and neither looked odd to me (and I suspect a GP would have also dismissed them).  And I like them to check everywhere, particularly my head (under my hair) because I would never see a mole there!

I did ask my GP what happens if I pay privately to go to a dermatologist and he/she discovers melanoma that requires full blown cancer treatment.  He said I would then be referred back to the NHS for treatment (so I wouldn't have to pay for a lengthy cancer battle).  I would still be responsible for all appointments, lab tests, treatment prior to the NHS referral though.

Hopefully all of this is hypothetical and I "pass" tomorrow's £250 skin check.

Soooo....what exactly *does* the NHS cover? From reading this thread it seems like anything major and you're on your own.

The NHS is good but you will learn to research and advocate for yourself. 

Good luck, KFdancer!

The Draft Order for the healthcare levy was published today.

There is a clear summary here in an article primarily aimed at students, but includes non-students too:

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Info-for-universities-colleges--schools/Info--guidance/Immigration/Health-charge/#Who-has-to-pay-the-immigration-health-charge

At least it sounds like they will refund the cost of the NHS levy if the visa is refused.  I hadn't even considered that issue previously.

"Who has to pay the immigration health charge?

Most people who apply for limited leave, ie not settled status."

what exactly does that mean?

Limited leave means any visa that has an expiry date and is only temporary. For example, a fiance visa, spousal visa, FLR(M), student visa, work visa etc.

Settled status is ILR - which is indefinite leave, not limited leave.

Basically, they are saying that almost every visa except ILR (which gives settled status) will have the NHS levy added to it.

From the link Sah10406 gave

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Info-for-universities-colleges--schools/Info--guidance/Immigration/Health-charge/#
 "If this period of leave includes part of a year that is 6 months or less, the amount payable for that part of a year is half the specified amount, ie £75 for students and dependants, and £100 for others. If the period of leave includes part of a year that is more than 6 months, the full annual amount is payable."

Ouch.

Soooo, here's a weird thing I am hoping you guys might be able to help me with. I just went with my husband today to register at a GP. The receptionist was quite lovely, but she said something that worries me. She said that because my spousal visa designates "no recourse to public funds," that the NHS only covers me for primary care. She said she wasn't clear on the issue but that if I wanted to have a baby or surgery or something, that I would have to pay out of my own pocket.

To which I am now very confused. Can someone please clarify what she is talking about? I thought "no recourse to public funds" meant that I could not get jobseeker's allowance or any kind of financial assistance. I did not think it meant the NHS. Especially when I'll be paying taxes for it when I get a job or if I end up having to pay the NHS fee. Any clarification would be very appreciated.

Came across a document the other day: General Guidance on Eligibility to Free NHS Primary Care -- seems to be aimed at practice staff (no date unfortunately)

"If you see ‘No recourse to Public Funds’ endorsed within a visa Do not refuse NHS care because this is not relevant to the NHS. The NHS is not included within the Home Office Public Funds List so you cannot refuse NHS care to those with this endorsement within their visa. It merely relates to the person not being allowed to access Income
Support, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Working Family Credit, Council Tax Benefit, Carer’s Allowance & State Pension Credit etc."

It goes on to warn that if patient is referred to Secondary Care they may not meet the criteria and could be charged. 

It has been the case that hospitals could ask to see your passport and ask if you have a valid visa or leave to enter and remain and where you have lived during the past 12 months.  But I don't know what's going to be happening now.

You're allowed to use the NHS just like any citizen. The office you went to is wrong.