The UK is a very popular destination for expats who are looking to move to a new country, with over 1 million people making the move in the year ending June 2024. There are a variety of reasons why expats move to the UK, such as an increase in professional and business opportunities. You should begin assessing your healthcare options as soon as you arrive in the country to ensure that you are covered for all your health requirements.
While the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) provides a good level of healthcare without any additional costs for patients, there can be long waiting periods to be seen by a professional, especially if you need to attend Accident & Emergency (A&E). Additionally, individuals who are not ordinarily residents of the UK may need a visa or indefinite leave to remain to access NHS care. This leads to some expats sourcing other options when moving to the UK.
This guide will help expats who are moving to the UK understand their healthcare options, as we delve deeper into each one so that we can analyse their worth to new residents in the country. Continue reading to find out more.
NHS and Private Insurance
As mentioned, the NHS offers a much cheaper solution for UK expats, as there is no cost to be seen by medical professionals when you’re signed up. It’s completely publicly funded through taxes and based on residency rather than public health insurance. There’s a wide range of services available with the NHS, as they cover anything from general practitioner (GP) visits to emergency ambulance services. However, the main downfall of the NHS is that there can be long wait times, especially for A&E visits for less severe cases.
Many expats opt for private health insurance in the UK, as it gives them a wider range of treatments that are delivered at a much quicker rate with much greater flexibility. These private health options can be expensive, so they should only be considered if you can afford the regular payments that they require. Generally, individuals on work visas, students, and those on longer-term visas can pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), granting them access to public healthcare on the same terms as UK residents.
UK Health Insurance Advantages for Expats
While the benefits of utilising the NHS seem more obvious, expats can choose private coverage with some extra advantages that can’t be offered with any other option. These benefits include:
- Access to a broader selection of GPs and hospital facilities
- Wider range of available treatments, including those not yet offered by the NHS
- Reduced waiting times
- Private hospital rooms and patient beds, rather than shared like most NHS rooms.
Physiotherapy, mental health assistance, dental care and other specialised services that are either limited or not covered by the NHS can be covered by an expat health insurance policy. Purchasing a private health insurance policy provides a useful addition to public healthcare options for expats used to private healthcare options in their home countries.
International Health Insurance
Another very valid option for UK expats is international health insurance. This is an excellent option for expats looking to be covered with their healthcare in the UK and beyond. With this coverage, you have wider access to private medical facilities and fewer hospital access restrictions. This means that you will have access to any hospital in the UK and even in other countries should you look to move again.
International health insurance comes with benefits like advanced medical evacuation, multilingual customer service and flexible policy options that are perfect for various needs. This will give you peace of mind, helping you know that you will be covered in cases of emergency when you need urgent medical attention. This is ideal for those expats who live in the UK but need to make constant trips abroad, as they will be covered.
Finding the Right Balance
Getting the care you need when you need it the most is very important for all types of individuals, but this importance only increases when you move to a new country that you might not be too familiar with. If you’re an expat in the UK, you need to find the best healthcare service for your needs. While the NHS provides good healthcare without any high fees, it’s not ideal for expats who are looking for quick response times and specialised treatments like injectable therapies. Private healthcare offers these, but with an extra price tag, so only consider if you can afford it.
You can identify the coverage that best fits your needs by assessing your individual health requirements, comparing the plans and consulting a specialist. In addition to improving your access to high-quality care, the correct expat health insurance plan will provide you with more peace of mind as you adjust to life in the UK and know your health is in good hands.