Healthcare In The Uk: A Guide for International Students

As an international student going to the UK to study, understanding the healthcare system is paramount. Over the years, we’ve seen that many students lack the right information on the UK healthcare system. To address this, we’ve put together a detailed walkthrough, providing insight into healthcare in the UK for international students. Without further delay, let’s explore!

Healthcare In The UK ~ The National Health Service (NHS)

As an international student, before relocating to the UK, it’s important to get your health insured. Fortunately, the NHS offers medical services that international students can take advantage of.

The National Health Service is a government-funded healthcare system in the UK. This organization offers a free medical and health service to everyone, both locals and internationals, living in the UK. This implies that, even as an international student traveling to the UK, you are entitled to free medical treatments.

However, the NHS’s free services are limited. That is, they don’t cover or offer all medical healthcare or treatment for free. For treatments like dental treatment, optical care, etc., patients will have to pay. Thus, ensure that you have in-depth details about the healthcare you need and want to receive from the NHS. It’s also worth noting that, as a student aged 19 or above, you aren’t entitled to free NHS prescriptions. However, you can apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme. This program helps individuals, including students, with low income cover their medical care.

Read Also: UK Visa Fees 2024

Nevertheless, here is a summary of the free NHS services you are entitled to as an international student living in the UK. However, you must note that to be eligible for this free NHS service, you’ll have to be spending over six months in the UK.

1. Free visit with a General Practitioner (GP) for any treatment
2. Assigned Midwife Nurse
3. Emergency care with qualified professionals
4. Ambulance services
5. Treatment for some communicable diseases, such as STD
6. Health counseling
7. Facilities for medical care, such as hospitals
8. Medical prescriptions
9. And many more!

How Does National Healthcare In The UK Work For International Students?

As an international student, you’ll have to be studying, or better yet, staying in the UK for over six (6) months to be fully eligible for NHS free services. This ensures your eligibility to receive free medical care while you are staying in the UK.

Read Also: How To Manage Finances In The UK

Additionally, it is worth noting that the National Healthcare In the UK is primarily funded through taxation. This implies that one of the criteria for NHS eligibility as an international student is paying government-allocated taxes. However, in the UK, the NHS organization is divided into four, one for each country that is part of the UK. Thus, the taxation depends on the region in which you reside.

Furthermore, to apply for the NHS program as an international student, you’ll have to register with a General Practitioner upon arriving in the UK. However, ensure you register with a GP near your institution. Once registered, students can make and get fixed for an appointment when the need arises.

In addition, individuals can also choose to call the NHS organisation via 111. By doing this, you can communicate directly with a professional who will give you a piece of advice or telemedicine.

How To Register For Healthcare Services In The UK

In the UK, you can either choose to register with government-funded or private health services. Registering for healthcare services as an international student in the UK is straightforward. Simply register with your preferred general Practitioner. For government-funded healthcare services, registration is always free. On the other hand, private healthcare services involve paying for the services through private health insurance or personal finance. 

It is worth noting that private healthcare in the UK offers several benefits, especially in terms of emergency issues. That is, you can quickly get access to medical treatment faster than the public healthcare providers. This is because it has fewer patients when compared to government-funded healthcare services.

Documents needed for registering as an international student include:

• Valid ID
• Passport
• Visa
• Proof of residence
• Employment status (Student)
• etc.

After completing registration with the healthcare provider, you are entitled to a medical card. This card serves as a health insurance identity, proving that the holder is entitled to receive medical care. 

How To Get Your Healthcare Insurance Fee Refunded

Before we begin exploring the way(s) one can initiate a health insurance refund, we have to look at the eligibility criteria for refunds. That is, not everyone is entitled to get a refund. Let’s cut into it! Here are the only reasons to request for an immigration health surcharge refund:

Eligibility criteria

1. If you, unfortunately, paid twice
2. If your Visa wasn’t approved
3. You can also request a refund if your application hasn’t been decided on
4. If you work in the healthcare sector

Other refund policies include:

5. If your healthcare is paid off by the government
6. Partial refund of the surcharge if individuals get reduced time on their visas
7. You can also request a refund if your visa dependents are refused

Read Also: UK Student Visa: Step-by-step Guide On How To Apply

If you are eligible to request a refund, either in part or full, initiate a request by contacting the UKVI. Moreover, the immigration health surcharge (IHS) will most likely give you a refund if needed, without you contacting them. However, if things turn out negative and you are sure you are entitled to a refund, contact them directly and place a refund.

Refunds are made directly to the same account or card used for payment. IHS refunds take up to 6 weeks; if you have yet to receive a message, proceed to contact UKVI until you’ve received a response. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t think of initiating a refund if you are in any of the following categories:

Non-Eligibility Criteria

1. Your application was successful, but you failed to travel to the UK.
2. You traveled out of the UK before your visa expired.
3. Don’t request a refund if you are told to leave the UK, even if your visa hasn’t expired.
4. Also, don’t request a refund if you are applying for ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK).

In Conclusion

In conclusion, as an international student aspiring to study in the UK, one of the essential things to get before arriving in the country is health insurance. This insurance covers medical and health problems that will arise while you stay in the county.

International students have access to both public and private-funded healthcare providers. This means that you are entitled to access healthcare just like the local students do, without limitation.

Furthermore, public healthcare in the UK is fully funded by the government through taxation. Thus, it’s free to almost all individuals in need of medical treatment. On the other hand, private healthcare services are privately funded through private finances. Thus, it poses a competitive charge for individuals in need of medical care.