Hospital Treatment Certificate: Fill & Download for Free

In a nutshell: yes, that's how it works.In a slightly bigger nutshell: yes, that’s pretty much how it works.First, let’s get the ‘nothing's free’ argument stamped on before it begins: yes, we know we’re charged via our taxes, but you’ll never see a direct bill for NHS hospital or GP treatment, or indeed a host of other NHS services. This means that even if you’re not earning enough to pay tax, you can afford to get your illnesses treated.If you have a medical emergency, you can call an ambulance (no bill will be sent) and head to what we call ‘A&E’ - the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital. There you will be triaged and seen as soon as is appropriate. If you’re having chest pains and difficulty breathing, that will be right the hell now; if you have an ingrowing toenail, bring a tent and a sleeping bag because that’s not what A&E is for. Regardless, no bill will be sent.If you have a less urgent condition, you can make an appointment to see your own doctor or head to an out-of-hours clinic or walk-in centre. Most standard practices will see you on the same day if not sooner; ours, for instance, has a triage nurse with authority to bump appointments for urgent non-hospital cases. If you think your child has a severe ear infection, you’ll probably be seeing a GP in an hour; if you just want a cholesterol test, you’ll probably be seeing a GP in 2–4 weeks. What you won’t be seeing is a bill.If your GP thinks you need hospital treatment they will either say “Go to A&E now!” and call an ambulance, or they’ll refer you for less urgent treatment. Again, when you get this will depend on triaged needs; your iffy knee joint will join a queue for theatre time behind a kidney transplant or a car crash victim. you cannot buy your way to the top of the list. On the other hand, neither the GP, the ambulance crew nor the surgery team will send you a bill.Things you will get billed for on the NHS are dental treatment (though that’s… wait for it…. capped - see what I did there??? - at under £300), eyeglasses and prescription medication. However, if you’re in a range of categories related to age and income, you may be exempt from some or all of these charges.To put this into perspective, the average income is £29,400, on which the average taxpayer pays £6,027 in taxes. About 19% of that goes on healthcare: call it £1200. Obviously, if you make more, you pay more; that’s how taxation works, but that's the average, typical figure.So, on average, a Briton pays £1200 a year for comprehensive healthcare with no ceiling and no deductible; if prescription medication is needed, you can pay £9 per prescription or £104 for a year’s all-you-can-inject certificate.And unless you’re at the optician or the dentist, you’ll never see a bill.

Let me answer the second part of that question first, “Would you change it for the "American system"?No way, are you crazy?Here in England medical treatment is free (yes we pay for it through taxes and it’s all a bit socialist, but what is the point of government and taxes if not for the good of the population?).If you are working, then there is a charge for prescription medicines. It’s something like £8.60 per item, although those who need regular prescriptions can buy a prepayment for £104.00 for 12 months, and some illnesses are exempt from charges (with a medical exemption certificate). If you are in receipt of benefits (unwaged, or with a particularly low income), these charges are waived. National Insurance, in addition to income tax goes towards this.Similarly dental care is charged at 3 bands:Band 1: £20.60 covers an examination, diagnosis and advice. If necessary, it also includes X-rays, a scale and polish and planning for further treatment.Band 2: £56.30 covers all treatment covered by Band 1, plus additional treatment, such as fillings, root canal treatment and removing teeth (extractions).Band 3: £244.30 covers all treatment covered by Bands 1 and 2, plus more complex procedures, such as crowns, dentures and bridges.Hospital treatments and medicines received while an in-patient are free, with further out-patient medication being subject to the same charges as prescriptions from your GP.Now why would anyone prefer the US system unless they stood to make money out of the misfortune of others?

Besides Accident & Emergency departments and other selected exempt services, overseas patients are not automatically entitled to access the NHS free of charge. If a patient from overseas is not currently living in the UK permanently and legally, they may not be entitled and therefore may need to either provide health insurance details, or pay for their treatment. The Paying Patients department organises their invoice for treatment.Hospital treatment is free to people who live in the UK permanently and legally. If the patient does not normally live here and does not meet one of the exemptions from charges then they will have to pay for any treatment they might need.This is regardless of whether they are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past or have been issued a HC2 certificate.This is because the UK’s healthcare system is a residence-based one. This contrasts with many other countries which have insurance-based healthcare systems.Most Europeans within the European Economic Area (EEA) are entitled to hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If a patient has an EHIC, they can present this to the NHS whilst visiting and their member state will be charged for the cost of any emergency treatment incurred.Note: I've used info from my Trust's intranet page for this answer.