General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan tourists access the national health care system in the United Kingdom?
I have never traveled to Europe and my daughter is scheduled to tour England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in March. The question came up this weekend and my response was in an emergency I think it might be possible.
In the 70's an acquaintance went to England and developed a severe rash. She was told to go to a clinic but insisted on seeing a private physician. The physician looked at her did not have a clue and sent her back to the clinic. One of the physicians worked in the United States and thought it might be poison ivy took pictures called the embassy confirmed the diagnosis and provided free treatment.
My response to my daughter this is what civilized countries do. Is this how it still works?
flamingdem
(39,313 posts)no charge at all. The Dr. was a bit creepy however.
Cleita
(75,480 posts)even charged although they were supposed to be and when they were it was very little.
gordianot
(15,238 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)"Wounded US tourist left to bleed to death on Edinburgh street"
If you correctly answered "never", then I hope your daughter has as much fun as everyone else who visits.
gordianot
(15,238 posts)Republicans would stone the good Samaritan.
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)eridani
(51,907 posts)Organ transplants no.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)You could apply for insurance and then pay for the copay and they won't charge you for the premium (which isn't that much like $60).
Violet_Crumble
(35,961 posts)That way if something goes wrong, she's covered instead of taking a gamble that could leave her thousands of dollars out of pocket..
The UK doesn't have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the US, which means that US citizens can't access the UK healthcare system while they're there. I could access it while I was there, but I still took out travel insurance anyway...
Here's some info on the agreement and which countries have them...
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/NonEEAcountries/Pages/Non-EEAcountries.aspx