Entitlement to free NHS maternity care. Need advice.

[keepmymoments]

Hi,

I’m wondering of someone of you had the same problem?

Last 12 months I didn’t live in UK. Now I’m 15 weeks pregnant. I booked my appointments with the midwife and for the first ultrasound scan. After few days I get a letter from the hospital, which says that I am not entitled to free NHS health care as the last 12 months I wasn’t here, in UK. They also said I have to pay the first bill 3.000£ before attend to a maternity care.

What should I do now? I’m working just since 2 weeks. But as the hospital said it also doesn’t give me right to a free NHS care. I’m not able to pay 3.000£ right now!

Any advice?

[tykko]

As much as i know in the letter you should got a phone number for the overseas visitors department to clear whether you eligible or not. If you have dual residence then you just need to proof that your centre of interest was (and is) still here(eg have family and employment interest here). If that's not the case and you came from an EU country then you should get a European Health Insurance Card so then your original country's health services will pay for it. Usually you can get it by post but you have to look into it.

So check if you're eligible or not first.

Hope i helped.

[keepmymoments in reply to tykko]

Thanks for your answer.

I called the number from the letter (overseas and private patients manager) but the lady there told me that the EHIC card (which I have) is not enough. Also they don't care that me and my partner are working here and pay tax.

She said I have to live for the last 12 months in UK to be entitled for a free NHS treatment.

Does she has right to refuse me pregnancy care just because I don't have enough money to pay?

[Skyblueboston in reply to keepmymoments]

So if your EHIC card covers you for. Certain amount, will they allow you to top up the rest of the money needed? Seems a bit harsh! So do they expect u to go back home to have the baby?

[Skyblueboston in reply to Skyblueboston]

I found a document o google about this, you can still get your maternity care straight away as its called " immediate care" then once the baby is born they will send u a bill.

I think I need further advice speak to the cab and they will be able o advise u more.

[keepmymoments in reply to Skyblueboston]

Looks so.

The overseas manager said that the EHIC card covers only emergency treatments. So I can't have my baby here if I don't pay the bill they sent me.

I come from EEA country, I'm working here legally but still it is not enough.

I asked also in Citizen Advice Bureau but they didn't help. Just said I need do provide the evidence that I have lived here for the last 12 months. In other case I'm not entitled for a free maternity care.

Ridiculous, isn’t it?

[tykko in reply to keepmymoments]

hmm i looked a bit more into it and what i found that in the opposite case(a british goes overseas for treatment) can claim for reimbursement from the nhs upto the cost it would have been in nhs treatment. Can you do that in the other country?

I still think to you could win on court if you got roots here and before that year you were a resident here...

[DrFluffy]

If you can prove that you are 'settled' here, intending to work here for at least 6/12 (which you should be able to do if you are in a perminant full time job, have kids in school etc, the you get fully funded care:

maternityaction.org.uk/site...

It's a bit of a faff, but cheaper than the alternative!

[Kc1983]

This country is a joke! Please dnt take this the wrong way but if u and ur partner didn't work and lived here off the government they would pay ur rent, benefits and medical care but becoz u hard working and providing for urself they taking the piss! Sadly mayb the answer is to do like lots of other people and live of the government until u had the baby, sorry for the rant but people abuse the system and get away with it and good people get stung! Rant over! Good luck