AIBU to think we shouldn't have got a bill for doctor appointment?

[Rainatnight]

DD, 2, had an outpatients hospital appointment in the summer for suspected asthma. Saw the consultant, we where packed off with a prescription, all fine.

We're in the UK, it was an NHS appointment based on a GP referral.

Today, I opened an invoice from the hospital for £330!

It's just an invoice, no explanation of why we're being charged.

I can ring in the morning and ask but wondered if anyone knew why this might have happened?

It’s an error, I’m sure.

Did you go private, where you born abroad to think of two reasons. Phone them and ask why

Mmm do you claim child benefit? If not it could be an explanation..

I assume you have the right to free NHS treatment?! Sounds silly but not everyone is if on tourist visas etc

Are you a British/ Irish national?

I see that you are in the UK, but are you (your daughter particularly) UK resident (as in, born and always lived here)?

There must be a reason why you have been billed. I have been in the UK since my birth 60 years ago, and I have never ever been invoiced.

Do you have the right to free nhs treatment? If European you may need to show an ehic card to have the invoice cancelled. If not European then you may not be entitled. A lot of trusts have started cracking down.

Sounds like the hospital think your DD is an overseas patient and have billed as such.

Well,
if you're entitled to free health care and there was no mention of the word 'private', then it's a mistake.
If you're not, and/or there was, then it's not.

It must just be a mistake.

To answer questions - I'm Irish, DD is British. We don't claim child benefit. We've always been entitled to NHS care (as far as I know!)

Brexit innit.

Pay up you bloody forriner!

Jokes aside though, if you aren't entitled to free NHS care then pay the bill and claim it back on your insurance.

If you're entitled to free NHS care then just ignore it. Never heard of the NHS employing debt collectors (so far).

Probably a mid recording on her form then. Just given them a ring and explain. Maybe they thought as your Irish that she was too.

But I always thought being Irish entitled you to nhs care so maybe they’ve got it totally wrong. All in all she’s entitled to the care so don’t panic too much about it.

Yea, maybe. Though they didn't ask for any sort of documentation from either of us (I'm really hoping they don't assess nationally by accent )

Woldkirkos That's funny, my first automatic thought was, 'here it is, the chill wind of Brexit'! Before I realised I was being ridiculous.

No it’s definitely happening and on the one hand it really needs too. The nhs can’t continue to fund non emergency treatment for non Nhs entitled citizens. I think the bitterness over that is one of the key factors in brexit happening. But in the other hand they do need a more sophisticated system and certainly shouldn’t be judging by accent and you should have been told a charge in advance.

my first automatic thought was, 'here it is, the chill wind of Brexit'! Before I realised I was being ridiculous.

Just thought I'd add a frisson of Project Fear and NHS Bus into the equation

Feefee yes, but, to be clear, DD is a British national and fully entitled in any case.

Oh I totally appreciate that. As are you as her mother as long as your ordinarily resident in the UK.

My point was about the chill wind of brexit not aimed at you. My point was if they have judged her to be Irish based on your accent (I bloody hope not but stranger things have happened at sea) by following protocol and telling you of the charge in advance you could have pointed out she’s a British national.

Apologies if I was coming across pro brexit. I’m bloody not.

Then if DD is a British National and entitled, appeal.

Isn't NHS free treatment for those ordinarily resident in UK not based on nationality? Did you put down an address outside UK?

I have no idea why people keep asking wether the DD is British or Irish. Makes zero difference, the key requirement in both cases is that she is 'ordinarily resident' in the UK. People should also google the definition of 'resident' - contrary to what a previous poster suggested this of course doesn't require 'being born' or 'having always lived' in the UK.

I went off this info from an nhs trust

www.hr.admin.cam.ac.uk/hr-services/relocating-uk/living-uk/healthcare/eligibility-nhs-treatment

do you claim child benefit? If not it could be an explanation..

How so?

Feefee, that is exactly what your link says as well:

UK resident + British national = free treatment
UK resident + Indefinite Leave to Remain (which is the case for all Irish people) = free treatment