This is a good thread for info for us expats Markit. I suggest the administrators keep this thread, and any others, as a sticky for reference. Maybe titled 'Health-Care for Expats'
I'll throw in a little of my info on the subject.
The Health-Care aspects of reciprocity, to my knowledge, is only available to those 'resident' of a country. Most expats no longer have residency under those rules. For example...I have Canadian citizenship but no longer resident in Vancouver B.C.....so, if I return I have to wait, I believe 3 months, before acquiring residency under the Health-Care act to get medical benefits. They keep the record when filing taxes as one part asks 'have you been out of Province for more that 182 days'.
I'm also a Brit but have not even been there for over 25 years. I'm still registered and have a tax number, as I get a pension, but not 'resident'. Therefore, I would not get any Health-Care unless an emergency or accident, which every Tom, Dick and Harry gets....yet I paid National Insurance (NI) for 50 years.
The UK administrators periodically write to my last known address to see if I'm dead...how I'm supposed to respond if I'm dead alludes me.:lemo: