Free Medical Treatment

[Halffull]

Just been talking to friends who live in Turkey and they told me as of this year (January 2012) they have been able to pay £60 a month and are then eligible to full free medical care equivalent to the NHS same as the Turkish Nationals.
They have only recently found out about it when talking to a friend of theirs who knew took it out and then had a heart attack, had to have a triple bypass and all the necessary and it was all free because he had taken out this government scheme.
I wonder if there is a similar scheme here that we have not been informed of?
Or if not the BRS could approach the government and see if it would be possible to implement here?
If they did then it would be another source of income for the government so they might look on it favourably, even at £100 per couple it would be far cheaper than Health Insurance
their residency now costs £45 a year, with reduced rates if you apply for several years at a time (can't remember the exact figures)

[andrew4232]

i heard from my friend who lives there its now compulsory as part of your residency, you can also go private hosptials and i think you only pay about 10% of the bill the rest is covered

[Halffull]

If that's the case then it would be easy to implement here, I know my friend said it starts January to January as he wasn't eligible until January unless he wanted to pay the fees backdated to last January .

[andrew4232]

the maximum residence that you can apply for is 5yrs at time this is only available after you have done your first one, i know how things work there as i lived there for 5yrs before coming here

[cyprusishome]

How long have you lived here halfful? Nothing is easy to implement here unless somebody presents it on a plate and even then if it is suggested by a foriegner it will be rejected outright.
Cynical maybe but after nearly 7 years of fighting it sends you that way.

[Halffull]

Well the BRS seem to be making inroads with the changes to residency
To answer your question I have lived here permanently for 3 years and have gone through the usual problems (so I think I have just progressed from nube )
Each day is an adventure now I no longer have to work for a living and living is work (in the nicest possible way!)
Sorry you can't cloud my rose coloured specs and I thought that instead of just sitting back and doing nothing then I thought I would post the information so that someone who might have an ear in the right quarter could put the idea forward, and perhaps something might happen and if it means more money in their coffers then I'm sure it will be viewed with interest

[Halffull]

Andrew, I would be really pleased if it was part of the residency, it would also encourage those who boarder hop, to avoid paying residency, to actually join the club, and cough up.

[woodspeckie]

Andrew you are right about it being compulsory as part of residency I have friends living there and with new regulations on visa you can no longer border hop.

[karmels]

Expats living in Turkey have got to get residency as they have imposed a law which is 90 days in and 90 days out before you can return.
If you wish to take a car to Turkey it is 180 days in and 180 days out before you can take the car back in.
Andrew is 100 % right on the compulsory medical charge but I think it is 60 TL each month for each person.

Mel.

[Halffull]

I wasn't sure whether he said £60 or 60TL so went for the worst option, thanks for the clarification.
Just need the government to pick up on it and do the same.

[cyprusishome]

halfful
I know that I am number sceptic and cynic, those that know me will tell you I was like you 4 years ago.

You comment about BRS and residency being improved, in fact the residency situation is worse now than it was 5 years ago, we did not have to do medicals every year then!!

As for your idea, you must know that the government here do not have the capability of setting up such a scheme. Plus nobody other than public sector workers and foreigners have enough spare income to contribute, so the base line contibutions would be extremely high. I know that one of the private hospitals is looking into organising some sort of private scheme but that again would be high in start up costs.

Until Turkey takes over North Cyprus and we can benifit from its large population then we will have to continue to live as we are. Your idea is good and sound but unfortunaley a none starter until that happens.

[andrew4232]

here you go
http://www.voicesnewspaper.com/modules. ... e&sid=5191
and here is the costs
http://www.voicesnewspaper.com/modules. ... e&sid=5190

[andrew4232]

resi costs as well

http://www.voicesnewspaper.com/modules. ... e&sid=4670

so if you add 120+2500 =2620 per year i think you will find that a hell of a lot more than here so how can that be free healthcare ?

[Halffull]

The figure equates to my original statement of £60 a month, yes it's not free health care, nor is the NHS, but it's better than what we have at present, either expensive hospital bills, rediculously high health insurance charges or running back to UK.
I think I would be happy to pay that for the peace of mind of having medical care without worrying about the bill.
It's good to hear finally one of the private hospitals is looking at a scheme, so surprised they haven't done it already

[stellasstar1]

David, I love your positive outlook on life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!See you Saturday.

[cyprusishome]

It is being so positive that keeps me going Stella, that and realism!!!!!!!!! You will of course know that my cheek is often well pushed out.

What happens saturday, have I been asleep so long I have missed something???
Are you trying the new market on sunday or staying loyal?

[Marions]

Schemes do exist, but maybe I have missed something, because the cost of insurance on my husband at his age is almost as much as the national debt. it is cheaper for us to rely on good health, trust in God, and cough up when required. We have already decided if the illness is life threatening then it might be time to say goodbye to this world and go to the next.
Or does someone know if the cost is a flat price for all. When we were in Australia it was compulsory, but very affrordable. It might not be now as prices increase and income doesn't.
And what do you mean the NHS is not free. You have co mpletely lost me there? One pays during one's working life but after that, one does NOT pay.
I think I need educating.

[Halffull]

Sorry Marion, that's what I meant you pay all your life in taxes and National Insurance to cover the cost of the NHS, so you are contributing to the cost, when moving here then if we want "free" medical help then it's only fair that you contribute to it, which is a conflict in terms I know, but so is the one banded around that the NHS is free.
Like you we tend to rely on good health and the State system which will not turn you away and provides basic care for free, when I applied to get Medical Insurance the payments were more than my pensions!!!
When I joined the forces at 15 I was told I had "free" health care for life and could use military hospitals even after I retired for medical treatment. Some joke, there are no Military hospitals any more, the military nurses and doctors are used to supplement the under staffing in the NHS now and that little perk of my contract disappeared.

[Marions]

Yes we are saying the same things, Halfful. we make choices in life do we not, and if one chooses to be here, then we take what goes with that choice. I have been blessed with good health most of my life (the odd hiccup like glandular fever as a teenager) so I have takne little form the NHS and so that means that others have been able to have treatment due to my contributions. I am happy about that! Not complaining. But I know several people here who have returned to U.K for fear of high medical expenses here. That I can understand too. But insurance is out of the question, and as my dear ld mum used to say 'never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.!
and judging by the waiting lists in U.K now, were we ill and living there, I am not sure we would be better off.

and looking at those relentless blue skies, I am happy to wait and see what unfolds. (oh, and I am NOT stinking rich!)