Student Health Insurance

Nowadays, students are traveling many parts of the world and they are rightly concerned about having adequate health coverage during the time that they are studying. Insurance is always available, but the cost can be quite a burden on top tuition and housing. Students traveling to the United Kingdom have few such worries.

The National Health Service provides residents of the UK with medical, dental and optical treatment. Many of these services are free, while for some a subsidised fee is paid.

Regardless of nationality or residence status, everyone present in the country receives free treatment in an emergency, free treatment of specified infectious diseases and free compulsory psychiatric treatment.

There are some conditions attached to Student Health Care in the UK, but students who qualify are entitled to NHS treatment for themselves and their immediate families for the duration of their studies. International students in England, Wales or Northern Ireland must be enrolled in a full-time course lasting at least six months; in Scotland the course can be any length, as long as it is a recognized institution.

If you do not meet these conditions, any treatment you receive (other than emergencies) will be considered as 'private' and is potentially very expensive. Such students must ensure that they have adequate student health insurance lasting the entire time of their visit to the UK. This is particularly important for any pre-existing conditions. The cost of repatriation in cases of extended illness should be considered. All students may wish to consider supplemental insurance to cover fees for GP (General Practitioner) services such as travel vaccinations, prescription medicines, dental care and eye care.

Apart from insurance, there is often help available with these latter costs, based on low income. The majority students who meet the criteria for NHS treatment can receive help. However, you will have to complete and submit a form. Full time students under the age of 19 are automatically entitled to free prescriptions. This holds true if you are pregnant, or if you have had a baby within the last 12 months. Furthermore, students qualifying for NHS services are entitled to free contraceptives, available from your GP.

As soon as possible after arriving in the UK, students should register with a local GP. Many universities have campus health centers. These are staffed by GPs and nurses experienced in treating the health problems most commonly found in the student population. Your GP will be able to treat most medical problems, but if you think that you need to see a specialist, you can ask your GP to refer you to an appropriate consultant at the nearest hospital. The consultant may see you as an outpatient, or admit you to hospital if necessary.

Nearly all hospitals have an accident and emergency department. These departments operate 24 hours a day to treat only urgent medical cases. Unless your condition is very serious, you should contact your GP surgery's duty doctor who will also be on call 24 hours a day.

The wealth of free services from the NHS should cover most circumstances. Nevertheless, a cautious student will look into extra coverage for specific health situations.