Joe Public Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 The Department of Health and Social Security today announced that the United Kingdom, as part of an overall review of the health agreements it has with other nations, has indicated its intention to end the Bilateral Agreement (often referred to as the Reciprocal Agreement) it has with the Isle of Man. It has already given formal notice terminating the agreement with the Channel Islands. It must be strongly emphasised that this will not affect the major element of the Isle of Man’s relationship with the UK – the referral of patients to the UK for treatment, which is fully funded by the Isle of Man Government at a cost of approximately £6M per year. There will be an effect on financial arrangements covering emergency or immediately necessary treatment provided to UK residents by the Isle of Man Health Service and to Isle of Man residents by the UK National Health Service. Currently, emergency or immediately necessary treatment provided to UK residents by the Isle of Man Health Service is paid for by the UK Government (currently approximately £2M a year). When the Agreement ends, the UK government will no longer pay for this. Whilst the details are yet to be finalised, it is also likely that the ending of the Agreement will affect those Manx residents who require free emergency or immediately necessary treatment whilst visiting the UK. Whilst their initial treatment will remain free, any resultant admission to hospital for inpatient treatment or surgery will have to be paid for by the patient. Similarly, UK residents visiting the Isle of Man will receive free initial emergency or immediately necessary treatment, but will be required to pay if they are admitted to hospital. No date for the termination of the Agreement has yet been agreed, but it is unlikely to be before 2010. It is clear, however, that this will, in due course, have a significant impact on the already stretched Isle of Man Health budget and over the next few weeks and months, the DHSS will be considering how to ensure that there is no adverse effect on the services provided. It is also clear that the existing DHSS advice to those travelling off island remains extremely important. The advice is that those travelling off the Isle of Man, even if only to the UK, should have travel insurance, which covers emergency health needs, most importantly including repatriation to the Isle of Man if necessary. Eddie Teare MHK, Minister for Health and Social Security said, “This is another major challenge for the Isle of Man. I am greatly reassured, however, that the most important element of our relationship with the UK – referrals to the UK NHS for treatment we cannot provide on the Isle of Man – is unaffected by the UK’s decision. It also shows how important the work already undertaken has been to ensure the Manx taxpayer receives a cost-effective health service.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempus Fugit Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 I trust this will apply equally in reverse ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Public Posted October 3, 2008 Author Share Posted October 3, 2008 I trust this will apply equally in reverse ! Interesting for TT, MGP, etc. Also interesting for stopovers/comeovers at what point will their health care provision start/stop? 5 years? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manxman8180 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Great, let's give more money to the friggin insurance companies. So, if a UK resident gets injured in the TT, they are going to have to pay? Or at the very least need additional insurance to cover the costs? Wouldn't fancy paying that premium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3v0 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Time to check if me IOM bank travel insurance covers the UK then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 So if you are Manx resident and working on a UK contract (paying UK tax and NI) are you still covered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Public Posted October 3, 2008 Author Share Posted October 3, 2008 So if you are Manx resident and working on a UK contract (paying UK tax and NI) are you still covered? and vice versa. Another big can of worms eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3v0 Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 So if you are Manx resident and working on a UK contract (paying UK tax and NI) are you still covered? Surely if your living in the UK and paying UK NI And tax then you would be fine... Worth clarifying though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parchedpeas Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Apart from potentially killing the TT off, this is another example of why the Isle of Man is increasingly becoming a ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids. So a family of four now going on holiday to Blackpool will need insurance. Incredible. I realise this is not the IOMG fault, but they should get down to working with a local insurance company and setting up a sensible affordable policy for local residents. Still, it's puts UK daytrippers inthe same boat now as people who have been traveling further afield within the EU. Shafted by not being 'UK'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemonday Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 but they should get down to working with a local insurance company and setting up a sensible affordable policy for local residents. Excellent suggestion and possibly the most practical way to resolve the issue. As for the termination of the agreement itself, I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier. I wonder what other areas will now be looked at by the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Skies Are Grey Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 this is another example of why the Isle of Man is increasingly becoming a ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids. Somewhat of an overreaction methinks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ai_Droid Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 So, if a UK resident gets injured in the TT, they are going to have to pay? Or at the very least need additional insurance to cover the costs? Why, as a manx resident, should I pay for the loons medical expenses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinkydevil Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Apart from potentially killing the TT off, this is another example of why the Isle of Man is increasingly becoming a ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids. So a family of four now going on holiday to Blackpool will need insurance. Incredible. Well for a family of 4 to the UK I just did a test insurance quote and it came in at £7.22 total. Hardly making it a 'ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
When Skies Are Grey Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Apart from potentially killing the TT off, this is another example of why the Isle of Man is increasingly becoming a ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids. So a family of four now going on holiday to Blackpool will need insurance. Incredible. Well for a family of 4 to the UK I just did a test insurance quote and it came in at £7.22 total. Hardly making it a 'ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids'. My point exactly....some people just love to knee-jerk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ai_Droid Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Well for a family of 4 to the UK I just did a test insurance quote and it came in at £7.22 total. Hardly making it a 'ball ache of a place to live and bring up kids'. And if you're on Bupa, you're covered already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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