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What ending of UK health deal might mean for you
THE Manx government has 'misjudged the strength of public feeling' over the scrapping of the Island's health deal with the UK.
That's the view of Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan as he defended his stance against criticism levelled at him in Tynwald last week that he had built up false hopes that the agreement could be saved.
Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne MHK accused him of 'misleading the people', as the UK had made it quite clear all along that its decision to terminate the deal was irreversible.
But Mr Rodan said he believed that lobbying by MPs, particularly Labour backbencher Andrew MacKinlay, had been crucial in persuading the UK Government to arrange last week's meeting between the Island's Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK and the UK Health Secretary Andy Burnham.
And he insisted that if the Manx government had been more robust in its approach, such a meeting could have been arranged much earlier – and perhaps with a better outcome.
'When you come under attack, under political assault, you must enlist all the friends and allies you can get,' he said. 'Last week's meeting, where the Manx and UK ministers sat down face to face around the table, ought to have happened a year ago.
'The reason it happened at all was not just because Andy Burnham took over as Health Secretary but because of the personal intervention of Andrew MacKinlay, who ensured that the meeting was set up.
'The way the government reacted to the political assault from off-Island, the way this was handled, goes to the heart of our relationship with the UK and demonstrated how we might react to other attacks in the future.
'It's now quite clear the government has misjudged the strength of feeling over this. Compared with the VAT issue, health directly affects every individual and their family in a way they can understand.'
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YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the Reciprocal Health Agreement?
The reciprocal health agreement is a long-standing arrangement between the Isle of Man and the UK which was been in place since 1948. It allows residents to receive free health treatment when moving between the two jurisdictions.
Why is the agreement ending?
The UK Department of Health has given notice that it is terminating this arrangement.
When will the Reciprocal Health Agreement end?
March 31, 2010.
What will this mean?
From April 1, 2010, anyone who comes to the UK on holiday or for a short-term visit will have to pay for any on-going NHS hospital treatment they may need while they are here, unless they meet the criteria for one of the exemptions from charges.
Similarly, UK residents will have to pay for treatment here should they fall ill or have an accident during their visit.
Who will have to pay?
Only those deemed to be ordinarily resident in the UK will be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England.
Nationality or past or present payments of UK taxes and National Insurance contributions are not taken into consideration when establishing residence. The only thing relevant is whether you ordinarily live in the UK.
Will Island residents who have worked in the UK for 10 years or more have to pay?
Yes, unless you have lived in the Isle of Man for less than five years or are now retired and claiming a UK state pension.
Will Island residents who work for a UK company have to pay?
There will be no charge for healthcare provided to Isle of Man residents who are able to prove that they are working in the UK for a UK employer.
Will I be charged if I need to attend an Accident and Emergency Unit for treatment during my visit to the UK?
No. Charges do not apply in respect of treatment provided in an Accident and Emergency Department, a 'walk in' centre or immediately necessary treatment from a UK GP. However, if you are subsequently admitted into hospital as an in-patient, then charges will apply.
How do I know if I have to pay?
The regulations state that the hospital providing treatment is responsible for establishing who is entitled to free NHS hospital treatment. They will make their decision in accordance with the regulations. The hospital can ask you to provide evidence to support any claim to free treatment and it is your responsibility to do so if asked. If the hospital decides you are not entitled to free NHS treatment charges will apply and cannot be waived.
What will you have to pay for?
All treatment given by staff at a hospital or by staff employed by a hospital may be subject to a charge with the following exceptions, which are free to all:
– Treatment given in an accident and emergency department (excludes emergency treatment given elsewhere in the hospital);
– Treatment given in a walk-in centre providing similar services to those of an accident and emergency department of a hospital;
– Treatment for certain communicable diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS where it is only the first diagnosis and connected counselling sessions that are charge free);
– Compulsory psychiatric treatment;
– Family planning services.
What documents will I need if I require hospital treatment?
Individual hospitals are responsible for deciding whether, in accordance with the regulations, a patient is liable to be charged for treatment or not. In order to establish entitlement, hospitals can ask you to provide documentation that supports your claim that you have come to the UK on holiday or to visit relatives. It is for you to decide what to supply, however – examples of evidence could include passport or identity card and travel documents.
Will students have to pay?
Anyone who comes to the UK to pursue a full-time course of study of not fewer than six months' duration, or a course of study that is of any duration but is substantially funded by the UK Government, will be fully entitled to free NHS hospital treatment in England.
Will pensioners have to pay?
If you receive a UK state pension, there will be no charge for health treatment whilst visiting the UK, as long as you can prove that you have lived in the UK for 10 continuous years or more at some point in the past.
Will patients referred to the UK for treatment have to pay?
No. The changes from April 2010 will not affect people who are referred to the UK for treatment that is not available in the Isle of Man. Off-Island specialist treatment is currently paid for by the Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) and that will continue.
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PAGE TWO
Who does not have to pay UK charges
People entitled to some treatment at NHS hospitals
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Send your comments to newsviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
With the scraping of the Reciprocal Health Agreement, we have been abandoned by the UK and deemed not worthy of health cover while on the lain land. So how do places like Anguilla, Bulgaria, Montserrat, Romania, Russia, all states of the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia remain covered? These counties and other's not mentioned have vast amounts of people that flood the UK illegally and add a massive cost to the UK NHS bill. The UK government should cut ties with them to save money, After all we are supposedly part of the UK or dose this only matter when they are demanding money from us for VAT and other taxes! I just hope that the IOM government apply the same rule for all those people that have moved to the island in the last few years, make them pay with no exceptions.
CB
Why am I reading this as a newspaper report? Nothing visible on our government 'infocentre' http://www.gov.im/infocentre/News.aspx?go=yes&searchText=&DepartmentID=&newsTypeID=&DateRange=7&startdate_Day=28&startdate_Month=1&startdate_Year=2010&enddate_Day=28&enddate_Month=1&enddate_Year=2010
Government departments have been working on the subject since the first announcement months ago, but have failed miserably in telling us what they have been planning. All of a sudden schemes are being announced that couldn't have been designed overnight. Sack the lot and accept that Westminster is better equipped to govern, they led us on the Foot Report, KSF clamp down and status of tax avoidance methods. 1000 odd years of Tynwald doesn't mean they are top in ability.
MOSSES
There is a contradiction between Page 1 and Page 2 of Adrian Darbyshire's article. Page 1 says: Will Island residents who have worked in the UK for 10 years or more have to pay? Yes, unless you have lived in the Isle of Man for less than five years or are now retired and claiming a UK state pension. Page 2 says:...those who come to live and work in the Isle of Man after having previously worked for 10 years in the UK, they are covered for full treatment back in the UK for only the first five years of their residence in the Island.
Reading the UK DoH website, I believe Page 2 is correct insofar as treatment in the UK is ONLY covered if the new IOM resident is WORKING on the island, and just LIVING in the IOM for those fist 5 years is not sufficient to qualify for the exemption. Perhaps Adrian would be so kind as to confirm whether I am right on this, and thus clarify the matter for everyone, in this thread. Whilst so doing, is he also able to clarify the meaning of "claiming a state pension" in relation to the Page 1 extract above? The question is....does a person who, having reached pensionable age, chooses to DEFER drawing his state pension then fall outside the exemption on the basis that he has not actually "IN RECEIPT OF" it? (Note that this "in receipt of" term appears on the UK DoH site....not specifically as a definition of "claiming"....but this meaning could be construed, to the detriment of those who have chosen to defer drawing their state pension).
GRAHAM
Do not rely on our DHSS ramblings - read the above VERY carefully, as they are accurate. There is NO normal GP cover other than life threatening emergency cover when you can't get to an A&E dept. At an A&E dept, only treatment done in that dept is free of cost, X-ray, fractures, etc IS chargeable, not just inpatient (overnight) care. IOM Students studying in the UK are NOT covered as the UK is not funding them in whole or in part. It's about time our DHSS is honest with us - as their failure goes much more than just visitor issues.
STEVEH
Adrian Darbyshire writes: The exemption states: Anyone working abroad for not more than 5 years as long as they have lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years at some point (including self employed people). The DHSS is seeking further clarification on the precise definitions of the exemptions.
Would it not make sense, for at least the short term, before people start jumping of ledges and commiting acts of revolution, treason, politicide(???!) etc, if a charge was levied on all journeys to and from the Island to pay these health costs? Being conservative with DTL's figures for resident journeys off the Island in 2009, if 350,000 visitor journeys were taxed an extra 9 on a return journey, then the 3million would be met, with enough left over to administer the system...... and pay for a trip to the menswear section for Tony Brown and Andy Burnham, if having the shirts off our backs isn't enough for them! Likewise, levies on the more than 250,000 visits to the Island, of 12 would reciprocate the arrangement for UK residents. Okay, travel to and from the Island may be expensive enough, but compared to even the cheapest estimates of required health insurance, these amounts seem to be an economically sensible alternative...... and who knows, maybe the Government, airlines and ferry company will offer a good will gesture of a couple quid in terms of subsidy in order to insure against potential loss of tourism/ business?........ No, I'm just being ridiculous know, aren't I?!!!
MICKWho does not have to pay UK charges?
Here is a full list of those entitled to full NHS hospital treatment free of charge:
Anyone who is working in the UK for an employer who is based in the UK or is registered in the UK as a branch of an overseas employer (this includes self -employed people). You must be actually working, not just looking for work.
Any full-time student on a course of at least six months duration, or, if less than six months, a course substantially funded by the UK government.
UK state pensioners who have lived lawfully in the UK for 10 continuous years at some point, who now live for not more than six months each year in another EEA member state and not fewer than six months each year in the UK.
Anyone who receives a UK war disablement pension or war widows' pension.
Members of Her Majesty's UK armed forces*.
Anyone working abroad for not more than five years as long as they have lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years at some point (including self-employed people). In other words, for those who come to live and work in the Isle of Man after having previously worked for 10 years in the UK, they are covered for full treatment back in the UK for only the first five years of their residence in the Island.
Any unpaid worker with a voluntary organisation offering services similar to those of a Health Authority or Local Authority social services department.
Anyone who has come to live permanently in the UK. If you make an application for permanent residence after you get there you are chargeable until your application is approved.
Anyone who has been lawfully living in the UK for 12 months immediately prior to treatment.
Refugees and asylum-seekers whose applications are still being considered.
Anyone employed on a ship or vessel registered in the UK or working offshore on the UK sector of the Continental Shelf.
Diplomatic staff working in embassies or Commonwealth High Commissions in the UK.
UK Civil Servants working abroad who were recruited in the UK and employed by Her Majesty's Government*.
Anyone recruited in the UK who works abroad for the British Council or the Commonwealth War Graves Commission*.
Anyone who is working abroad in a job financed in part by the UK government in agreement with the government or a public body of some other country or territory*.
Anyone working in an EEA country member state and contributing compulsory (not voluntary) UK national insurance contributions (class I or II).
Anyone who is a national of an EEA member state, a refugee or stateless person or their dependant or survivor living in an EEA member state who is referred to the UK for specified treatment with an EC form E112 or E123.
Anyone who is referred by their home country authorities for specified treatment in the UK under the terms of a bilateral agreement.
Anyone who is detained in prison or by the Immigration Authorities in the UK.
Serving NATO personnel, posted in the UK, who are not using their own or UK armed forces hospitals.
Missionaries working overseas for an organisation principally based in the UK, regardless of whether they are receiving a wage or salary*.
Those who have been formally identified or suspected as being a victim of human trafficking.
The spouse or civil partner and any dependent children of anyone who is exempt under the above criteria, if they are living permanently with the exempt person. Coming to visit the exempt person for a few weeks or months does not give exemption.
* These categories of exemption provide that the spouse/civil partner/dependent children are exempt from charge in their own right so that the principal exempt family member does not have to be in the UK with them at the time of their treatment.
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People entitled to some treatment at NHS hospitals
Anyone, including a refugee, stateless person or a member of the family of any of them, who is an 'insured' resident of an EEA member state and is visiting the UK*.
Anyone, or the spouse, civil partner or child of anyone, receiving a UK state pension who has either lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years at some point or has worked as a UK Civil Servant for at least 10 continuous years.
Anyone, or the spouse, civil partner or child of anyone, who is a national of a country that has signed the European Social Charter but is not entitled to be provided with services under a bilateral agreement (currently Turkey) and is genuinely without the means to pay for their treatment.
Anyone, or the spouse, civil partner or child of anyone, who has lived legally in the UK for 10 continuous years at some point but who is now living in another EEA member state or in certain countries with which the UK has a bilateral healthcare agreement.
Anyone who is entitled to receive industrial injury benefit from Israel if the treatment is in connection with the industrial injury.
Anyone living in a country with which the UK has a bilateral healthcare agreement (some bilateral healthcare agreements are limited to nationals of that country).
*Also includes treatment for chronic conditions, including routine monitoring.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
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