ILR application and GP/NHS services

Hi Moderators,

My wife and I are going to apply for ILR on August 24 (wp holder). We are going to send it thru post. My question is:
During the time of our application can we still use our GP/NHS services for free, even do it reaches our visa expiration date and having no result yet (our visa will expire on 8/9/11)? I have raised this question because one of my friend (he got type 2 diabetes) who applied ILR and their visa had already expired and their application is still at HO, they got a mail from their GP telling them that they have to pay their services now, even do the government is still deducting NI from his payslip. Thanks

If a valid in-time application is made, then leave is extended under Section 3C.