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oldun Super user
Posts : 1275 Join date : 2009-09-19
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sat Jan 29, 2011 1:06 pm | |
| So true Bigsavak. Unfortunately I am from the generation who did as they were told. I actually believed that telling the truth on forms was for my benefit. Believing this, I told the UK pensions people when I moved to Bulgaria and had my pension frozen until EU entry. It was a good job I didn't know where to get the health forms registered which has hopefully prevented them actually knowing I am still here. Hopefully, I am still on a UK doctor's list. Unfortunately, I have heard that you can be struck off both dentists and doctors lists if you don't visit regularly. How true this is I don't know. Its all very difficult to keep up when you have lived abroad a long time and even family do not always understand the complexities that arise when you leave the country permanently. I have managed to keep a UK bank account where my pension is sent, so hopefully this will muddy the waters in a time of need. With the internet knowing every move you make, this may not be enough. I would urge anyone considering moving to Bulgaria to keep a UK bank account and have a pension paid in there because who knows what may happen in the future and to keep some sterling seems to be a safeguard. Its possible to use finance companies like Currencies Direct to transfer large amounts much cheaper than a bank and small amounts can be brought over on a visit to family in UK. ATMs now cost the earth plus many banks will not send a card to Bulgaria when it needs renewing. As for health issues, I feel that the British Government is letting old people down badly when they leave Britain. To penalise them with no choice about returning for health care in their home country is disgusting. Not everyone with a home abroad is on the rich list, certainly not in Bulgaria. Even those with a big house here will soon find their finances dwindling as the years go by. |
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seven Junior user
Posts : 57 Join date : 2010-11-02
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:22 am | |
| here here oldun, and the rest. By the way i was honest with my bank 'Barclays' and they set me up with an international account and know i'm here full time, they have been great. I was also honest with my doctor and I just keep an old mobile phone with a UK pay as you go sim in it which is registered with the GP. I ask for a call back once a year which keeps me on the register.. :-) Fat lot of use that is, but there you go. It made me want to laugh when I read that Bulgaria has a benefit agreement with the UK, which means those looking for work, or disbility benefit etc should be able to get benefits here..... I'd love to here from anyone that has managed THAT, doing it honestly..... |
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oldun Super user
Posts : 1275 Join date : 2009-09-19
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:51 am | |
| Seven it seems you and I are on the same page. We are all just pawns in the Government's game and that's why people are trying to get ahead of the 'game' any way they can. Its naive to think that anyone cares anymore - the wartime spirit is gone forever - its each man for himself or am I just having a bad day? |
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oldun Super user
Posts : 1275 Join date : 2009-09-19
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:57 am | |
| Just re-read your post Seven. My bank too knows exactly where I am and have been very good but don't forget that the Govenment now insist that banks divulge their international accounts and I have had to fill in a form to this effect. I joked that I must be the poorest person in their system! Sorry, going a bit off topic here! |
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Blink Super user
Posts : 909 Join date : 2010-02-11
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Wed Feb 02, 2011 12:53 pm | |
| I guess in this day and age with big brother watching you go to the toilet nothing can be kept private from anyone anymore |
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seven Junior user
Posts : 57 Join date : 2010-11-02
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:18 am | |
| Thought I'd post this for a laugh on the NHIF site... Now if you are working they will bite your hand off to get the money from you, but try as I might I've not been able to get hold of one single person to help with this insurance since November!!! I will point out that most of my working bulgarian friends still pay into a private scheme as the NHIF doesn't seem to cover much that most people need it for i.e. perscriptions
(copied direct from the NHIF site)
Obligatory health insured with the National Health Insurance Fund are:
· All Bulgarian citizens who are not citizens of another state;
· Bulgarian citizens who are also citizens of another state and live permanently within the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria;
· Foreign citizens or people without citizenship who have been allowed a long-term stay in the Republic of Bulgaria, unless otherwise provided by an international agreement to which Bulgaria is a party;
· The people with granted refugee status, humanitarian status or with a granted right to refuge. |
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moonraker Registered user
Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-09-17
| Subject: Health care for new expats Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:25 am | |
| We have our EU health card: does this cover us for all health care when we relocate to BG? I am 62 and my wife is a few years younger.
Thanks
John |
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Carmen Super user
Posts : 714 Join date : 2010-03-19
| Subject: Re: Health care for new expats Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:45 am | |
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cheekychops Super user
Posts : 1186 Join date : 2010-03-20
| Subject: Re: Health care for new expats Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:50 am | |
| It may vary from one region to another but basically you may need to pay first and them claim it back from the uk ? but as I said it will depend on where you are. |
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moonraker Registered user
Posts : 14 Join date : 2012-09-17
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:57 am | |
| Thanks for the info. Are prescriptions free after a certain age, like 60in UK? |
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Gimp Super user
Posts : 863 Join date : 2010-02-12
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:34 pm | |
| No not as far as I know you will still need to pay for them? |
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Gimp Super user
Posts : 863 Join date : 2010-02-12
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:43 pm | |
| This might help from the UK NHS site
Doctors
About 90% of doctors in Bulgaria are registered with the National Insurance Fund, however, you should always check before making an appointment. There is a small charge for seeing a doctor. This is non-refundable in Bulgaria but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK.
If you require medication, a doctor will usually issue you a receipt form (for non–chronic diseases) or a prescription (chronic illnesses). Dentists
You should consult a dentists who has a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund. However, a patient contribution might be charged. You may be able to seek reimbursement for this when you are back in the UK. If the dentist does not have a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund, you will be charged the full cost of the treatment and those charges are not refundable. Hospital treatment
Inpatient treatment is provided by public and private hospitals. However, you should ask to be referred to a hospital that has a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund, as they will cover the cost of treatment. After being discharged from hospital, you are entitled to maximum two examinations as part of your in-patient care. Prescriptions
If you have been issued a receipt form you are able to get you medication for either free or at reduced costs. However, ensure you take the receipt form to a pharmacy that is registered with the National Health Insurance Fund otherwise, you will have to pay the full price.
If you have been issued a prescription you can visit any pharmacy in Bulgaria but you will have to pay the full cost. This is non-refundable in Bulgaria but you may be able to seek reimbursement when you are back in the UK. Ambulance
Using an ambulance in cases of emergency is free. |
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varnagirl Super user
Posts : 1196 Join date : 2009-10-24
| Subject: Re: Health care for new expats Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:48 pm | |
| - moonraker wrote:
- We have our EU health card: does this cover us for all health care when we relocate to BG? I am 62 and my wife is a few years younger.
Thanks
John john ...no your EHIC is for holiday / emergency use only outside of the country of your normal residency....you need to fill in and send back an E106 if you are relocating to BG perminently [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] ... n-another/ then again once you reach pensionable age ..the goal posts change |
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oldun Super user
Posts : 1275 Join date : 2009-09-19
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:52 pm | |
| Once again Varnagirl - succinct and to the point. Prescriptions are not free in Bulgaria for me or my partner although I am a pensioner. I paid a small one- off fee to our village doctor and I have used the same prescription for the last 2 years without seeing him more than once since. My Hero's emergency, needing an ambulance and 10 days in hospital was not charged except for blood and his EHIC card sufficed for this plus so-called 'Residency' card. The whole medical system in Bulgaria is totally different to UK but adequate. There is little palleative aftercare and people are discharged from hospital as soon as possible. No appointment system, you arrive early and queue. Reciprocal health issues are only refundable in Britain if you are registered with a Bulgarian registered doctor. If you do register as a pensioner on the Bulgarian health system you will immediately be wiped off the system in Britain and your medical notes sent to your council offices so not much point in doing it. If you have serious health issues before arriving in Bulgaria I wouldn't advise relocating unless you can afford BUPA or other high cost private insurance or are willing to take your chances. |
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Daisy Super user
Posts : 1121 Join date : 2010-02-11
| Subject: Re: What Medical Cover for Brits in Bulgaria Sat Oct 13, 2012 10:27 am | |
| I have a friend who did exactly that oldun they registered with a doctor in Bulgaria and as you say they were removed from the UK register and when she went back she had to jump through hoops to try and get some help with a problem she had, at first no one would see here because she had been signed off in the UK but eventually she was seen but what a load of heartache she had to go through just to get registered with a doctor again in England |
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