Can anyone advise about 2-tier health service?

Hi
Can anyone help with information regarding health service and the changes that are coming in. We have read about a two tier system and costs seem high we are looking to relocate but are concerned about health care services in Spain. How will it work or can anyone suggest where we could find out which is clear information.
Many thanks

Hi if you want to live in Spain and can afford it get Private heath cover it is not as expensive as the UK

for your reply we are in our late 50s how much as a rough idea price would it most per person as we read that there are two tiers one only covers basic and then one for emergencies. I believe it is changing in Spain that us Brits will not be able to get health care when we reach over 60

digdagdog wrote::text-thankyouyellow: for your reply we are in our late 50s how much as a rough idea price would it most per person as we read that there are two tiers one only covers basic and then one for emergencies. I believe it is changing in Spain that us Brits will not be able to get health care when we reach over 60

I do hope that doesn't happen as there are many people living in Spain who rely on that service. I can't imagine any Non-British Europeans living in the UK being refused health care in the UK, so why should it be different for UK people living in Spain?

I have no idea where the "no health care over 60" comes from.
However, there are several options for obtaining healthcare in Spain.
For visitors, there is the EHIC which covers you for emergency treatment. Things like diabetic, INR (or warfarin) and regular heart checks are covered under emergency (or necessary) treatment as is breaking a leg, having a severe asthma attack and so on. The card should only be used by those not taking up permanent residency in Spain.

The S1. This transfers your healthcare to Spain. It is only for those who are over pensionable age or registered as disabled in their country of origin. It gives full cover just like the NHS except that prescription are charge for up to a maximum of 8 euro a month (depending on your income).

Paying into the Spanish NHS (Valencia region). You must have been living in Spain for more than 12 months before you can do this. It costs €60 per month per person if you are under pensionable age and €157 per month if you are over 65 but the S1 should then come into play to make it free.

There is also a system for gaining healthcare if you were a resident before April 2013 but this obviously will not apply to you.

Private healthcare. Obviously this will depend on your personal circumstances. If you have pre-existing conditions it will be expensive. It is normally cheaper than UK but will depend on age, health history and so on. You should contact a provider for a quote.

You will never be denied emergency healthcare in Spain. Just like UK, the system is caring and very good. People without EHIC cards have been treated first and then the hospitals have applied for retrospective cards on behalf of patients. What you don't get is universal free coverage. You get exactly the same treatment as a Spanish national. If they have paid into the system they will get cover. and so will you. If they haven't contributed they don't get it and neither will you. The only, and I mean only, exceptions to this are those aged under 18 and those over pensionable age who do get it for free. If you are in your 50s then you should look at private healthcare (a necessity for gaining residency anyway) until you reach pensionable age.

Thanks for explaining - I think a similar question has been asked before on the forum, so this answer will be very helpful for others too.



Jan

Hi private health cover costs less than 80 euros each per month each having done some research EPS a Spanish company sounds quite good and a German company called DKV sounds very good they offer a policy that you pay around 50 euros per month and then pay a small amount extra for each visit to the doctor and any other treatment. If you wish to become resident and are not of pensionable age. you will have to pay into the system or have a private policy.

For a private policy you have to do a self declaration of pre existing conditions this normally means they will not cover you tor certain things, however if you have an emergency you can be treated under the normal healthcare system.

Hi, my husband and I are under pension age and missed the 2012 deadline for a full SIP card here in Spain. We have private healthcare with EPS and have been very happy with them. I have had the normal female checks this past year. Broke my wrist and was seen, treated, trip to the chemist and back home with 2 hours plus 10 physio sessions. I declared being border line with Glaucoma and the very nice consultant in Quiron hospital only charges me 80 euros and that covers 2 full eye revisions per year.
Hope this helps!!!!

Thanks to all for info regarding health insurance. We have made enquiries with BUPA and their charges are way over what we can afford something like £8000 a year for the two of us Which would eat into our savings really quickly as we are in our late 50's. I tried to find ESP but could not find on the internet is this the abbreviation of the company? Thanks again

EPS is El Perputuo Seguro