One of the things that I have been cursed with since birth has been sinusitis, caused usually by allergies to mold and dustmites. Both of which are in abundance in my current temporary apartment. Since I moved here a little over a week ago, my national insurance number has not come through, which hampers me a little when it comes to seeing a physician. Luckily, my employer has an onsite clinic and the physician there could prescribe the triple threat cocktail to get rid of the sinus infection: antibioitic, antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid. As she hands me the prescriptions, she tells me that since I do not have a NHS number, I will have to pay cash for the prescriptions, just like in the US if there were no insurance. Immediately in my head, I assume I will have to take a second mortgage out on my condo in Seattle to pay for these drugs.
Enter Boots. Boots is a pharmacy that happens to be everywhere, similar to Walgreens in the US, but with ready to eat lunch combos and no holiday decorations for sale. It’s not a place that you can find everything, but it sure is a place that when you’re sick, the pharmacist can actually navigate and help you out. Not that US pharmacists cannot, it’s just a little bit different. I speak to the pharmacist, expecting to get a quote for these drugs at 100 GBP, as that’s roughly what they would cost in the US. She apologizes profusely saying, “These would be so much more inexpensive if you had your NHS number.” “How much?”, I ask. “80-90%”, she adds. She then rings them up and says – “20 pounds please.”
My eyes bug out of my head, not only because this is already 80% less than I was expecting to pay, but it is significantly less expensive for me without insurance in England then it is for people with insurance in the US. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to make this a manifesto about prescription coverage and the US medical insurance system. But, it is absolutely maddening to know that other mature economic countries can keep medical costs under control. And before you say, “the NHS is not the answer”, you’re right, hence why supplemental private health insurance exists here. But, in any case, all that does is make your costs even less.
For the expats out there, verify with your employer that private health insurance exists and how much it costs for you to enroll. In my case, the insurance is included in my benefits and able to be removed if your partner has better private insurance, though you get no reimbursement for the opt out. Otherwise, get the process of registering for your NHS number as soon as you can, as it can take anywhere from 7-21 business days to have it process. This doesnt mean that you will not be able to get care, as it is illegal to turn anyone away from medical care in the UK. But, it sure will make it easier and cheaper.
American Expat in London 