getting insulin for a 9 month trip

clared · Feb 15, 2011

I have been a type 1 diabetic for over 26 years, with no complication so far. I spent 12 years of my life from age 25 living in Thailand for anything from 6 months to 2 years, before returning to the uk to work. When I was back in the UK I would collect enough insulin and test strips from my repeat prescriptions to see me through the next period in Thailand. This worked well for many years.
My husband is from Thailand and he would like to move back out there for 9 months of the year, and spend 3 months in the UK doing our seasonal self employed job.
I know that things in the NHS have tightened up over the last few years and that doctors are no longer willing to give you 6 months insulin supply in one go. I could possibly afford to buy my medication (Novo rapid and Lancet) and test strips, but do not know much about this. I do not really know if I can manage my diabetic life (regarding medications/test strips/ check ups/ eye tests) whilst living in Thailand for 9 months of the year. Does anyone have a similar situation or have any ideas of what I could do.

HLW · Feb 16, 2011

Have you asked your GP if they will write a prescription for 9 months supply? If you explain why you want one, they might be willing to write one.

clared · Feb 16, 2011

When we were living for 6 months in Thailand and 6 months in the uk (2005-2009), my GP was not happy doing this knowing I was in Thailand and not having the (what he called) necessary health care to protect me (and him as he writes the prescriptions). He did say back in 2008 before our last 6 months in Thailand, that he could not continue to do this for me. If it was a 1 off 9 month trip, I am sure I could get the required medications, but if we did move to Thailand for 9 months every year, it would be a year on year thing. I do not want to bring this issue up with my GP yet as I feel I know his answer will be no.
This limit on your life style choice frustrates me so much more than the daily testing, injections etc.

bowell · Feb 16, 2011

Prob not what you wanted to know

for info :

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Entitlementsandcharges/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_074386

Living in a non-bilateral healthcare agreement country?

If you choose to go and live permanently (or for more than 3 months each year) in a country with which the UK does not have a bilateral health agreement, then you will not normally be eligible for free NHS hospital treatment during a visit to the UK, no matter how long you may have lived here in the past. You may, however, be exempt from charges if you meet one of the other exemption criteria, for example because you are working abroad and have been doing so for less than 5 years.

Living in both the UK and another country?

If you spend more than 3 months living in another country on a regular basis each year, for example because you spend four months living in a second home during the winter but return to the UK for the rest of the year, then you may not be eligible for free hospital treatment while you live here. If the other country is one with which the UK has a bilateral health agreement then the partial exemptions described above will apply to you. If the other country is not one with which there is a bilateral health agreement, then you will not be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment during the time you live here, unless you meet one of the other exemption criteria.

also see
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/movingabroad/Pages/Livingabroad.aspx

phoenix · Feb 16, 2011

(just about to post and read the one above so a bit of a repeat)
if you live in another country for nine months of the year you will become non-resident in the UK and therefore not entitled to anything. I live in France but cumulatively spend more than 3 months of the year looking after my parents in the UK. My husband and I still pay UK taxes on our occupational pensions and have many years of NI contributions. Neverthess our rights to healthcare in the UK are only those of any other visitor from an EU country. We also have to pay a percentage of our income to belong to the health care system here.

If you go abroad to live you also need to consider not only the costs of your 'everyday' healthcare but how you would pay for any unforeseen emergencies .

clared · Feb 16, 2011

Thanks for your reply Bowell. Its kind of what I thought. Can't really risk not being entitled to health care on our 3 months in the UK for both myself and my 6 year old son who has a congenital heart defect and need yearly check ups and more surgery at age11. HHHHMMMMM.
Plan B.....3 months Thailand, 9 months here. Still sounds pretty good to me.

clared · Feb 16, 2011

Dear Phoenix. Thanks for your reply. I may sound not serious about our plans to possibly move back to Thailand, but its such a complex issue with so many things to consider, its hard to know where to start. Its healthcare and my childrens education(best in the UK) versus life style, family time and giving my children who are both thai citizens a better understanding of both cultures(thailand).
No rash decsions will be made, but the info you gave me is of vital importance. Thanks

getting insulin for a 9 month trip

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getting insulin for a 9 month trip

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