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Heartbeat: Payments recovered from over 150 overseas visitors

September 18, 2019

Our organisation has recovered payment from over150 patients who were overseas visitors since August 2018 when the overseas visitors team was formed, alongside significant savings from deterring health tourists from using our services.

The team assess patients’ chargeable status and identifies patients who are ineligible for free NHS care. Upon receiving referrals from self-check-in kiosks, A&E or wards the team meet with patients to ensure they are eligible for free NHS healthcare.

“Prior to August 2018, our legal team were inundated with queries regarding overseas visitors and charging visitors where possible,” explained Kiran Virk, Overseas Visitors Officer. “However since our team was formed 12 months ago, there has been a significant improvement in identification and charging as this is what we solely specialise in and focus on.”

The overseas visitor team use thorough and precise techniques to identify potential health tourists.

Saleem Mohammed, Overseas Visitors Manager said: “Since our team was introduced, the Trust has recovered payment for treatment from over 150 overseas visitors in just under a year. In addition to this, when our team identifies patients who should be paying for their healthcare, it means we’re able to free up appointments for patients who are entitled to free care thus reducing outpatient waiting lists.

“On a daily basis the overseas visitor’s team run reports that show each patient who has checked in for their appointment or attended ED. These reports help identify possible overseas visitors and we then set up an individual case for the patient.

Following this we call the patient and ask for the relevant evidence to assess their eligibility for free care. The same process is also used for patients who use ED and become in-patients.

“The focus for our team is not only to invoice patients who are ineligible for free NHS care, but we also help and assist colleagues in their understanding and interpretation of the often confusing regulations on charging policies, to make sure that eligible patients are receiving the care they deserve in timely manner.”