Health care Spain v. GB

[Mark01]

Scorpio, I most certainly don´t have rose tinted specs

No - but they who try to bully people into silence with chants of "unpatriotic" - or variations thereof - are usually the ones who are wearing the rose-tinted specs - or worse.

They are never the ones who get things improved or stop the rot. What you did does - and it takes a lot of guts. The stance you took is to be admired and helps us all a damn sight more than the brainwashed 'do-nothing-and-pretend-it's-better' brigade.

BTW, I am currently looking for Medical Insurance and you seem to have good experiences with yours. Would you recommend them and if so, do you have a contact number/website address?

[Brindleboy123]

No - but they who try to bully people into silence with chants of "unpatriotic" - or variations thereof - are usually the ones who are wearing the rose-tinted specs - or worse.

They are never the ones who get things improved or stop the rot. What you did does - and it takes a lot of guts. The stance you took is to be admired and helps us all a damn sight more than the brainwashed 'do-nothing-and-pretend-it's-better' brigade.

BTW, I am currently looking for Medical Insurance and you seem to have good experiences with yours. Would you recommend them and if so, do you have a contact number/website address?

Hi there Mark, thanks for your comments. We have always used Aegon Insurance. They have an office directly down the bottom of the road that the Valor chocolate shop is in(directly infront of the church square). There is a really nice Spanish lady in there who speaks excellent english. She is always willing to contact the hospital if ever we need to. (Telephone 965714863) I´m not sure it is necessarily the cheapest, but we have no hastle whenever we need to see a consultant etc. The lady in the office is normally able to sign any authority when needed. We actually pay monthly and it costs around 130€ per month for the two of us. I guess it depends on your age when you take it up. We are 50/52 and as I say, have had the policy for 6 years. For our GP we are covered as often as necessary and we use Central Clinic in the town. They again are excellent (we normally see Gemma). They all speak English in the clinic too. When we have needed to see a consultant we normally are booked in within days, the longest I have had to wait has been 3 weeks and that was only because the consultant was on holiday!

An alternative and I guess cheaper option is to take out a contract with Central clinic itself. Last time anyone did this, I believe it cost 300€ per annum for two people and this entitles them to unlimited consultations with the GP and annual ECG, chest x-ray, dental clean and other things too. It may seem a lot but at the end of the day so many people pay for an interpreter to go with them to the nhs clinics and pay probably more than this over the year.

One thing to take into account is that when you have private medical you do have to pay for your own medications at the pharmacy. Anything you receive whilst an in-patient is covered. I hope this helps.

[Mark01]

Useful information. Many thanks

[Nalle]

One thing to take into account is that when you have private medical you do have to pay for your own medications at the pharmacy. Anything you receive whilst an in-patient is covered. I hope this helps.

Thats a very good point, Dont think that many ppl actually realise this

[orangegrove]

I've heard such great accolades from friends who have used the Spanish healthcare system in various hospitals, & not just in this area, & I certainly won't worry if I'm ill & need help.

I've spent a few times in the UK in NHS hospitals & haven't anything good really to say about any of them, sadly.

[harpo23z]

If you live here then you won't have to be treated on the NHS, unfortunately a lot of people who are not residents in Spain do have treatment here, they use their forms that are meant to be for emergencies only and get scans, blood test etc etc. The rumours do say they will get caught up with but I doubt it.
I seem to use the word unfortunately a lot, but it is. I get so angry when they abuse the system but you are always going to get that. I could have a battle everyday with people abusing the system, here and in the UK, inconsiderate drivers, litter bugs, the list goes on, but it just makes you angry and bitter. I came here for a more relax lifestyle so I'm trying to do that. Reading some of these though, it's hard. Better go, washing up to do.

Even though some people abuse the system meant for emergencys whilst on holiday (the E111 or the new European Health Insurance Card) The fact is that the Spanish health care system is re-imbursed by the NHS for every time they are used so they do not loose out financialy. I do agree that ex-pats should decide where they are Resident and, if in Spain they should play the game and not abuse the system in their chosen country. Long live the Spanish healthcare system which i believe is far superior to the NHS.

[Chrisdee]

Even though some people abuse the system meant for emergencys whilst on holiday (the E111 or the new European Health Insurance Card) The fact is that the Spanish health care system is re-imbursed by the NHS for every time they are used so they do not loose out financialy. I do agree that ex-pats should decide where they are Resident and, if in Spain they should play the game and not abuse the system in their chosen country. Long live the Spanish healthcare system which i believe is far superior to the NHS.

I think this is the problem with early retirees not getting their health cover any longer, the NHS aren't reimbursing the Spanish health care system, that's why the Valancian government have stopped it ??

[harpo23z]

Chrisdee,
I think you misunderstood me, I was not talking about those ex-pats that have taken up residecia and were having free healthcare which the valencian govenment have now put a stop to.
I was talking about those uk citizens who although they now live in spain have not taken up residecia and not informed the uk authorities that they no longer reside in the UK and are using the European Health Card (issued to UK residents for use whilst on holiday in Europe) for free healthcare in any european country during their short stay of up to 60 days. When this card is presented to a doctor/dentist or any other medical facility a form is filled in by the medical practitioner and sent to the uk and the NHS pay them the cost of the treatment under a reciprical agrement between the two countries. These are the people that i said should get off the fence and decide where the actualy live!

[JOHN73]

Just a quick check

I used the hospital (emergency room) in Torrevieja once. Worked fine, everyone spoke English and tried to be as helpful as possible. Unfortunately I did not have my paperwork in order right there and then, so I had to pay 120 euros, which i got refunded a week later.

I do question charging people for going to the emergency room, as I think this is one of the basic services that should be offered to all citizen of a country. I can not see the benefit of people ending up disabled, real ill or spreading diseases because they want to save or doesn't have 120 euros. I guess that is another discussion.

The important lesson to learn is:

It's better to be rich and healthy,
than poor and sick!

Or something like that...

[phat wheels]

A few months ago I became seriously ill in the middle of the night. I was taken to Torrevieja NHS hospital, where they literally saved my life. During my six weeks stay in hospital I had three major operations, numerous x rays and two MRI scans. I was treated with kindness and respect throughout by the very professional yet sweet natured staff. Owing to the nature of my illness (digestive system) I was SO VERY gratefull to be in a room of my own, with on-suite bathroom, as I might have died of shame in shared facillities, especially had I been in a mixed ward, which I gather is still to be found in the UK. I've never been hospitalized in the UK so can't really compare things, but with 'state of the art' treatment, spotlessly clean rooms with flat screen TV and internet (not expensive) and all day free parking for visitors, why would I want to go anywhere else?

[JOHN73]

A few months ago I became seriously ill in the middle of the night. I was taken to Torrevieja NHS hospital, where they literally saved my life. During my six weeks stay in hospital I had three major operations, numerous x rays and two MRI scans. I was treated with kindness and respect throughout by the very professional yet sweet natured staff. Owing to the nature of my illness (digestive system) I was SO VERY gratefull to be in a room of my own, with on-suite bathroom, as I might have died of shame in shared facillities, especially had I been in a mixed ward, which I gather is still to be found in the UK. I've never been hospitalized in the UK so can't really compare things, but with 'state of the art' treatment, spotlessly clean rooms with flat screen TV and internet (not expensive) and all day free parking for visitors, why would I want to go anywhere else?

I prefer not to get ill!
Else your description fits into my impression. Perhaps people should keep in mind that it helps to be nice, kind and polite even to the Spanish?

I find them to be very guest friendly, and whenever I go to a Spanish bar or restaurant, they always give top service, often free drinks and samples, and they never over charge. A smile and some effort will take you far!