Not just resident in Spain, of course, but in other EU countries as well as in Switzerland. We're in Spain though, so I'll be referring to British pensioners living in Spain.
This isn't 'new' news, but there wasn't a big fanfare about it, and I've recently come to realise that many British pensioners who live here still don't know about it.
In April 2015 there was a rule change in the UK regarding how the NHS would charge visitors to the UK from overseas. Among these changes was a change in access to healthcare in the UK for British pensioners who are resident in Spain & other EU countries. This also applies to dependents of British pensioners, who access healthcare in the same way.
A British pensioner living in Spain, who is in receipt of a state pension, has their healthcare here paid for by the UK. via a form called an SI. This form is registered with the INSS & Spain then claims a fixed fee from the UK each year for each S1 holder. When they go on holiday in Europe but outside Spain, they use a special EHIC issued by the UK. Until April 2015, they used this EHIC when on holiday in the UK as well.
As from April 2015 they no longer need the EHIC in the UK. They are in fact entitled to full access to the NHS including planned treatment.
Here's a link to the NHS document outlining the changes
,https: / /www.g ov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment _data / f i le /49 6951 /Overseas visitor_hospital_charging_aces.pdf
The section which deals with British pensioners is within section 9, from page 85. Specifically 9.57 onwards:
UK pensioners living in another EEA country 9.57
In April 2015, there was a change in law which means that all UK pensioners who are living in the EEA or Switzerland and have registered an S1 form from the UK with the local authorities in their EEA country of residence, and their family members also with a UK issued Si, are entitled to not be charged for secondary healthcare, just like someone who is ordinarily resident in England. However, they will need to pay any charges which also apply to UK residents, such as prescription and dental charges. Individuals who have registered a UK Si in another EEA country should be asked to provide some evidence confirming this. If they present a UK-issued EHIC, their EHIC information should not be entered into the portal for reimbursement.
Obligations on OVMs to confirm Si or Al entitlement 9.58
To confirm entitlement to treatment, OVMs should, hi the first instance, ask the patient to present a copy of their UK issued EU healthcare form (S1 or Al). OVMs will need to check whether there is an 'end date' on the form as some Sis are time-limited and entitlement to free NHS treatment is directly linked with the SI form's validity. If OVMs have any questions about an SI form, they can contact the D WP Overseas Healthcare Team (details below) to make further enquiries about the form's registration status. If OVMs are unable to confirm the patient's status, and the patient is neither ordinarily resident here, nor exempt under another category under the Charging Regulations, then the patient may be liable for their healthcare costs. However, if the patient is able to present their valid form within a reasonable period of time, the Trust should consider reimbursing the patient for costs incurred.
OVMs can check whether a patient has a registered Si form in another EEA country by contacting the Overseas Healthcare Team at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OVM = Overseas Visitors Manager.