Medical/Health Insurance

ColinCB


Joined: 17/07/2009
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
22/09/2009 18:31

I want to visit for 1 to 3 months and short term cover seems to be a problem or prohibitively in the UK. Does anybody have advice as whether it is better to take out Medical Insurance in UK prior to travelling to TRNC, or is any available when in Cyprus?

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
22/09/2009 18:37

You may have travel insurance cover already, have a look at your bank account perks i.e. if you have certain natwest bank accounts, they give free cover. There are numerous companies that do travel insurance but be sure to declare all previous medical history and anything you have even mentioned to your GP. A relative got landed with big bills because he had failed to declare he had mentioned having diarrhea to his GP which was not actioned. Despite falling ill on holiday with something unconnected, they still refused to reimburse.

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
22/09/2009 18:41

Get yourself the 'European Health Insurance Card' information http://www.nhs.uk and that will cover you South side should something major happens, anything minor 'pay-as-you-go'. Bring three months supply of any medication you're on.



Richard

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
22/09/2009 22:40

Get it in the UK.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
22/09/2009 23:35

If you go to our http://www.flightholiday.co.uk wbe site you can go to the travel extras tab and you will find a choice of two insurers both are different in price structure and what is offered if you need extra details call them and please quote IAH is your supplier. Or contact us and we will get them to call you 0871 855 2925



You should always have medical / holiday and travel insurance when abroad unless you are a permament resident abroad when you need long term expat cover.

ColinCB


Joined: 17/07/2009
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
23/09/2009 17:36

Thanks to all repliers,

I am now sorted with a cheapish travel/health cover at just over £1.00 per day. (can be renewed online for further if required.)

To reply from Brinsley. Thanks, noted, already have EU NI card OK & am bringing 6 months supply (just in case)

PLUS a letter from my G.P. cost £15.00, but may save me a drug smuggling charge,



well worth it. Worth thinking about when moving a quantity of (prescription) drugs around as various drugs can be valid in one country yet not another.

Thanks again to all & look forwards to joining you all in the sun in a couple of days.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
23/09/2009 17:49

How do you get 6 months supply of drugs, my GP said it illegal for him to sign for more than 1 month.

Oleander


Joined: 03/05/2009
Posts: 302

Message Posted:
23/09/2009 22:28

I would ask your doctor again Woodspeckie. When I first came over here, my doc gave me 9 months' supply of the meds I was taking as that was how long I anticipated being gone for.



When my daughter went backpacking in the antipodes, she got 12 months' supply of her stuff because that's how long she would be gone for.



Never was it mentioned that it was 'illegal' for a doc to do this. Maybe the rules have changed in the past couple of years?



Don't know if it makes a difference if you get your meds free - I always paid for mine at the going prescription rate.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
24/09/2009 21:41

oleander..you are only allowed up to a maximum of three months if you are going outside of the EU.After that you are classified as none resident in UK therefore not entitled to NHS prescription drugs.



Colin CB..Count yourself lucky if your GP has issued you with 6months drugs.He obviously does not know the law.Like Woodspeckie My GP will not issue more than 1 months issue in the UK never mind going to the TRNC for 3 months or so. If you are unfortuneate to have to go into hospital in the South be careful because they may check on your address and in some Greek ISlands you have to pay then reclaim it from DWP when you return..This happened to me in Crete last year

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
24/09/2009 21:50

Well my recent visit to the Doc re-my planned 5 months away..I was told 3 months was supposedly the limit but he would give me two lots of 3 months prescriptions at one time.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
24/09/2009 21:56

Corbo..Once again count yourself lucky..It was being discussed to extend the period away from UK to 6months but I am not sure if has been agreed yet...

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
24/09/2009 22:55

Haven't got them yet Coachie but they seem flexible..I suppose it depends on the practice..

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
25/09/2009 00:47

Oleander. I did check with the GP just a few weeks ago I said I was looking to stay in Turkey for 3 months, it was then he said it was illegal for him to sign for more than 1 month but he would do it for 3 months one time only.

ColinCB


Joined: 17/07/2009
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
26/09/2009 10:17

I seem to have raised quite a debate here about the quantity if medication prescribable, Maybe I was lucky but my G.P. asnd surgery raise no query what so ever for 6 months.

BUT, I would stress to all, beware of carrying large quantities of such through Customs as it could prove difficult. Again, various drugs, albeit on prescription, may be fine in one country but may not be on an "approved/legal" list in another country.

Again, thanks to all for the feedback. Colin CB

waddo


Joined: 29/11/2008
Posts: 1966

Message Posted:
26/09/2009 11:19

In 2007 it was then illegal for a practioner to sign script for any drug for a longer period than 3 months. A lot of practioners would only sign for a maximum of 1 month but this was their choice and to go to 3 months was - at that time - not illegal. The "script" that the practioner issued for you to take to the chemist had the name and description of the drug being issued along with the quantity, that returned script was proof positive that the drug was for the holder and had been authorised by the practioner - that script alone satisfies all customs officials world wide! Do not know what happens when you go over 60 and get your drugs free as I left on my 60th birthday.



While I can understand why people who will not live abroad permanently wish to get their drugs free or from their UK base doctor, I must say that it confuses me why people who rely on drugs for survival - like myself - wish to save a couple of pounds here and there - I would pay triple to stay alive!

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
07/10/2009 21:47

Well I nearly got 6 months in 2 x 3 months prescriptions for common blood pressure related tablets..but the head of the practice stopped it at the last minute. I have 3 months worth on arrival and plan to stay for 5 months. Can you purchase the commonly prescribed blood pressure drugs such as Enalapril in Cyprus..North or South? Otherwise a flight back home at the end of January just to get some tablets..blasted things.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
07/10/2009 22:44

Fxxx..I'm getting old..discussing blood pressure tablets on a chat site..and being ignored.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 09:46

Corbo - I am sure you can get Enalapril or it's equivalent. You should ask at a pharmacy in North Cyprus with its generic name.

Corbo



Joined: 13/09/2009
Posts: 627

Message Posted:
08/10/2009 11:09

Thanks Flightholiday..I'll check it out when there.