Concerns have been raised regarding the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 which will come into force on 6 April and as to how these will affect missionaries who require hospital treatment.
The Government has taken the view that, since the UK has a residency-based health-care system, free NHS hospital treatment should only be provided to visitors in rare cases, for example when they are working for the UK Government (including on humanitarian projects) or when an international obligation requires it.
Exemptions removed
Consequently, the specific exemption for those working for a UK-based mission will be removed, along with many other current exemptions for former UK residents, including UK state pensioners living outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and those who are in employment overseas where that employment has not yet lasted five years. Any of these individuals who need NHS hospital treatment will be charged for it if they are not considered ordinarily resident in the UK. If their sole residence is outside the EEA, they will be charged at 150 per cent of the national tariff for the treatment provided.
