I am moving to England (from America) to join my new spouse (an EEA National from Germany) to live in London. He has recently moved there and started a new job. As a married spouse what am I entitled to regarding health care under the National Health Care System? I understand that dental services are generally not covered and some perscriptions must be paid out of pocket. Anything else I should be aware of? Thank you in advance. SM  

Spouse of a EU National, Or any permanent resident irrelevant of their nationality has the right to health-care in the U.K. Although there are conditions attached but they are mostly related to residency requirements.

Prescriptions are paid at 6 to7GBP rate directly but this is a subsidized rate therefore you only pay for prescription and the medicine on this prescription so therefore its not good if you want to get just a flu tablet but surely good if you need some lifesaving drugs or procedures.

Hypertensive and Diabetic patients are waived from payment of prescription fee therefore all your drugs, treatment and specialist care is taken car off totally free of cost.

Dental treatements are charged and they are expensive but if you go through NHS it is still cheaper compared to a private Clinic.

Therefore the keyword is NHS National Health service UK  

For minor things, you can always ask the pharmacist at the chemist shop for what to take. S/he can tell you what OTC (Over The Counter) medication you can take.  

One or two points that need clarification.

The fee for prescribed drugs is per item, not per prescription. So if you take 3 drugs for hypertension you pay about £20 each time.

I am not aware of any exemptions for hypertension or diabetes unless you qualify for State benefits due to low/no income or if you are a child or are over 60. And I've lived in the UK for 60 years and suffer from hypertension for which I take 4 drugs.

Hospital treatment and visits to a doctor are free, but you'll be lucky to find a dentist who will take on more NHS patients as they earn much more doing private work. NHS dentists are as rare as rocking horse poo unless you've been with them for years.

The good news is that generally the local doctor (GP) service is pretty good and the hospitals are excellent if you need emergency treatment.
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Age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. 

You can get free NHS prescriptions if, at the time the prescription is dispensed, you:

* are 60 or over,
* are under 16,
* are 16-18 and in full-time education,
* are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months and have a valid maternity exemption certificate (Mat Ex),
* have a specified medical condition and have a valid medical exemption certificate (MedEx),
* have a continuing physical disability which means you can't go out without help from another person and have a valid MedEx,
* hold a valid war pension exemption certificate and the prescription is for your accepted disability,
* or you are an NHS inpatient.

You are also entitled to free prescriptions if you or your partner (including civil partners) are named on or are entitled to an NHS tax credit exemption certificate or a valid HC2 certificate (full help with health costs), or you receive either:

* Income Support,
* Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,
* Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or
* Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.

MATEX OR MEDICAL EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED ON FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
Medical exemption (MedEx) certificates are issued on application to people who have:

* A permanent fistula (for example caecostomy, colostomy, laryngostomy or ileostomy) requiring an appliance or continuous surgical dressing.
* A form of hypoadrenalism (for example Addison's disease) for which specific substitution therapy is needed.
* Diabetes insipidus or other forms of hypopituitarism.
* Diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone.
* Hypoparathyroidism.
* Myasthenia gravis.
* Myxoedema (hypothyroidism requiring thyroid hormone replacement).
* Epilepsy requiring continuous anticonvulsive therapy.
* Continuing physical disability which means the person can't go out without the help of another person.

You are also issued with a MedEx if you are undergoing treatment for cancer. This includes treatment for the effects of cancer or for the effects of cancer treatments.

- itsmeagain

One or two points that need clarification.

The fee for prescribed drugs is per item, not per prescription. So if you take 3 drugs for hypertension you pay about £20 each time.

I am not aware of any exemptions for hypertension or diabetes unless you qualify for State benefits due to low/no income or if you are a child or are over 60. And I've lived in the UK for 60 years and suffer from hypertension for which I take 4 drugs.

Hospital treatment and visits to a doctor are free, but you'll be lucky to find a dentist who will take on more NHS patients as they earn much more doing private work. NHS dentists are as rare as rocking horse poo unless you've been with them for years.

The good news is that generally the local doctor (GP) service is pretty good and the hospitals are excellent if you need emergency treatment.

 

Silly question, but I presume you are a US citizen, and you will be aware that you require a Settlement Visa to live in the UK with your husband.

You will be entitled to work, and receive NHS treatment. You will not have any recourse to public funds though.

If you have children, your husband can claim child allowance, and child tax credits on your behalf.
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handyal.
nanninginfosite.editbo.../forum.htm 

I presume most of the information you require is available on this page. As a spouse of EU Citizen, you may be entitled to health care apart from few exceptions. If your spouse is registered as an EU resident in UK, you may be entitled to many other benefits targeted to benefit Non EU Spouses of EU Nationals (Under the EU LAW).

- sunman56

I am moving to England (from America) to join my new spouse (an EEA National from Germany) to live in London. He has recently moved there and started a new job. As a married spouse what am I entitled to regarding health care under the National Health Care System? I understand that dental services are generally not covered and some perscriptions must be paid out of pocket. Anything else I should be aware of? Thank you in advance. SM