NHS for Spouse visa .. Wife pregnant

[simantadatta]

I am an Indian citizen and I will be travelling to UK on Tier-2 work permit /visa (Resident) from India in Jun 2010.

My wife is pregnant and due in Sep 2010.

I would like to know if my wife's maternity (checkup, ultrasounds, delivery) will be covered under NHS and whether there will be any exclusions ?

I'm not able to take a decision whether she should join me in UK after the baby is born in India or whether we can have the baby in UK itself. We want to have the baby together in UK, but we don't want it to cost a fortune in UK.

Also, after in case she travels with me, there will be like 2 weeks before she gets her NHS card. What happens if she needs a medical help during this time ?

Thanks!

[geriatrix]

Personal suggestion - Have the delivery in India where your family members can take care of the mother and child at the time of and after delivery.

regards

[John]

simantadatta, the answer to your question is ..... you and your family will be entitled to use the NHS as soon as you arrive in the UK.

[simantadatta]

Thanks sushdmehta and John.

@sushdmehta - well even we were originally considering having the baby in India only, but there are some logistical reasons why it may be difficult for the mother and child to get the passport for the child, file the visa and then travel say 3 months after delivery.

Actually, we plan to bring her parents to UK around the time of delivery on tourist visa, to ease the load on mother.

But I'm curious, apart from the not having home support, is there any negative of having the baby in UK ? I have lived in US for 5 yrs but never been to UK and I'm not familiar with the country, I consider that to be a negative though!

@John - so even if she may not have NHS card, she can avail any emergency treatment right when she lands in UK ? Note that, she will be on dependent visa.

My employer has a mayfair policy as well, but i didn't quite understand why would one need mayfair policy if NHS covers everything (which it does, right?) apart from dental and eye.

Also, my in-laws, the ones coming on visitor visa, will they be getting NHS benefits too ?

Sorry folks.. lots of questions for a newbie. But I promise, once I know, I will let others know in this forum

[John]

So even if she may not have NHS card, she can avail any emergency treatment right when she lands in UK ? Note that, she will be on dependent visa.

Soon after the two of you arrive, go to a local GPs surgery and register on the NHS. During that process the surgery will no doubt arrange maternity services for your wife, including ante-natal classes.

My employer has a mayfair policy as well

I have never heard of that, so cannot comment.

[geriatrix]

Also, my in-laws, the ones coming on visitor visa, will they be getting NHS benefits too ?

AFAIK, they will be eligible for emergency out-patient services only.

Best that they arrange for travel insurance from home country before travelling to UK.

regards

[John]

AFAIK, they will be eligible for emergency out-patient services only.

Why? Tier 2 visa holders, and their dependants, are eligible to use the NHS. This link provides the evidence for that ..... click here.

[geriatrix]

AFAIK, they will be eligible for emergency out-patient services only.

Why? Tier 2 visa holders, and their dependants, are eligible to use the NHS. This link provides the evidence for that ..... click here.

My response was in reference to OP's in-laws who will be entering UK on visit visa(s).

regards

[John]

Whoops, apologies! Confusing the pregnant wife on the Tier 2 Dependant visa, and her parents on visitor visas.

Of course the visitors need adequate travel insurance.

[simantadatta]

Thanks folks, that helps.

So, under NHS coverage, the only expense is the cost of prescription drugs, and nothing else. And I read that for pregnant women (within 12 months), the cost of prescription drugs are also waived ? So it's pretty much a zero cost maternity, huh ? (In India, it costs around Rs 30K and around $2000 in the US despite having a moderate insurance !!)

There will not be any questions on she being ALREADY pregnant while she entered the country ?.. like a "pre existing illness" ?

[John]

There will not be any questions on she being ALREADY pregnant while she entered the country ?.. like a "pre existing illness" ?

Pregnancy is not an illness! Ask any mother! Or do you really want to think that you have made her ill?

Seriously there is no exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

I read that for pregnant women (within 12 months), the cost of prescription drugs are also waived ?

Indeed, once your wife has been issued with her Certificate of Expected Confinement, prescriptions are free for the remainder of the pregnancy and for 12 months thereafter. NHS dentistry also free for the same period.

That exemption from those NHS charges is not within the definition of Public Funds, as in para 6 of the Immigration Rules, so there is no need to worry about the "No recourse to Public Funds" restriction on the visas.

[simantadatta]

Pregnancy is not an illness!

Ofcourse, that's why i put it with quote unquote

But, I've finally decided that I will go alone now and wife will deliver here in India. They will file dependent visa separately once the baby is born and join me in UK in December or so.

Otherwise, the delivery date would be just 2.5 months from the date we land in UK, and considering sorting out the logistics (renting out apt, availibility at nearest GP etc) i think it won't be the most safe or convenient approach to have the baby in UK. Instead, in India my wife won't have me by her side (which is terrible) but will get all supports from friends and family and I will visit for a week after the baby is born... so she understands the situation and has agreed.