The NHSCFA estimates that the NHS is vulnerable to £56.7m worth of Fraudulent access each year. Please see our latest strategic intelligence assessment for more details
Fraudulent access to NHS care relates to foreign nationals who obtain free healthcare to which they are not entitled to.
Overseas visitors who are visiting the UK for six months or less, (including those on multiple entry visas), non-resident UK nationals, or those who are in the UK without immigration permission must be charged for services they receive at the point of accessing care, unless they are exempt from charges under the other categories of the Charging Regulations.
For a full list of fraud types in this category, please check Overseas patients in the fraud definitions.
To assist you on how to spot the signs of fraudulent access to NHS care and how to stop this type of fraud, please see below.
Think prevention
- Are you aware of any overseas patients accessing NHS care fraudulently?
- Are you aware of NHS trusts fraudulently billing the NHS for known chargeable overseas patients?
- Are you aware of NHS staff deliberately facilitating access to NHS care for overseas patients without payment?
Further information
How to report fraud
Report any suspicions of fraud or attempted fraud to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority online at https://cfa.nhs.uk/report-fraud or through the NHS Fraud and Corruption Reporting Line 0800 028 4060 (powered by Crimestoppers). All reports are treated in confidence and you have the option to report anonymously. You can also report to your nominated Local Counter Fraud Specialist if you are an NHS employee or contractor.