The government has thrown a potential £500m Brexit lifeline to 180,000 British pensioners in EU countries outside the UK who rely on the NHS to pay for their healthcare, writes Lisa O'Carroll for the Guardian.
Health minister Stephen Hammond has said the government is committed to covering their healthcare for 12 months after exit day in the event of no deal.
“The UK government has committed to fund healthcare for UK nationals (and others for whom the UK is responsible) who have applied for, or are undergoing, treatments in the EU prior to and on exit day, for up to one year, to protect the most vulnerable,” he said in a ministerial written statement.
The move will come as a welcome relief to pensioners in countries such as Spain and France who were facing the immediate loss of the EU reciprocal arrangement whereby the NHS reimbursed the cost of their medical treatment.
Such a prospect was a particular concern to cancer patients and those with ongoing medical needs.
The government added the proviso that its commitment would still require it to reach agreement with each member state. However, Hammond said: “We are hopeful that they will remain willing to treat patients and accept reimbursement and are in discussions to seek such an agreement.”
British nationals living abroad have also been reassured by Hammond that if they “face changes in how they can access healthcare” they may return to live in the UK and use the NHS if they wish from day one.
“A British citizen who moves to the UK can be considered ordinarily resident upon arrival if it is clear that they are here to reside on a properly settled basis for the time being,” Hammond said.
Pensioners who have already signed up to the so-called S1 reciprocal care payment arrangements and who are “resident in EU member states” on exit day “can use NHS services in England without charge when on a temporary visit to England”.
This means those who have paid into the system all their lives and have chosen to retire in another country will not have to worry if they need treatment if they fall ill or have an accident on return visits to the country, something many were concerned about.
British citizens who return to live in the UK partway through their treatment will also be able to access NHS services. According to evidence given by a government official to a select committee, the UK spends £650m on reimbursing EU countries for healthcare. Of that, about £500m is for the healthcare costs of the 180,000 British pensioners living in EU countries outside the UK, 70,000 of whom live in Spain.
Ireland is the second most popular destination for retirement with 44,000 people who have contributed national insurance for the qualifying years in the UK living in the country. This will include Irish nationals. Hammond reiterated that the “UK and Irish governments are committed to continuing to facilitate access to healthcare” in the common travel area.
A similar number live in France, with Cyprus ranking as the fourth most popular destination for retirees, with 12,000 on S1 healthcare arrangements.
The updated no-deal notice will also apply to UK nationals have already planned to get treatment under EU reciprocal rules in another country in the bloc.
Holidaymakers, however, are still being advised to take out private health insurance.
While the UK remains in the EU, travellers have been able to rely on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for free health treatment on holidays.
According to the written statement, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have advised the government that travel insurance policies will cover emergency medical treatment costs as standard that could have been reclaimed through the EHIC “although some routine treatment would not be covered”.
It is also advising holidaymakers to read the small print. It said it had been advised that there are a small number of policies in the market that state they will only provide cover if the customer has an EHIC card, something that will not be valid in the event of no deal.
“It you have purchased one of these policies it is recommended you speak to your provider to ensure you are fully protected before you leave the UK,” the statement said.
https://www.theguardian.com/international
Comments
It's not good to play a game of "chance" with people's lives, particularly people who have retired.
You have to realise that the economy of Portugal, or other Southern EU State's do not depend on UK retirees.
It would be sad if UK retirees were forced to leave their homes in the sun and return to the UK.
However, Portugal and other EU southern States do not depend on the the day to day income of retired people.
If the UK retirees have to return home, there wil be people from other parts of the EU, USA, Canada and so forth, who will replace these people.
Come on John, this was from the Grauniad...
All I can say is that it is about time that the UK government started using some tactics in this farce. We all know that if the UK makes it harder for retirees to live in southern Europe they will need to return to the UK. Just think what that will do to the economies south of the sunshine line. They will collapse overnight and concentrate the minds of the local politicians and get them to wake up, and about time too.
This is a bargaining tactic, unfortunately, rather late in the day.
However, the EU is collapsing on all fronts at the moment so maybe just sit and watch from the ringside is the best option here. I must admit I am beginning to find it highly amusing.