The value of the Global health card.

When we were staying in Torrevieja recently, my Husband developed a very sore ankle. We visited out local pharmacy and were told to go to the Salud medical centre and to bring the Gloval Health card with us. Off we went. Parked on the street beside it. Went in, staff didn’t speak English but we managed. Global health card handed over, a lot of typing / computer input of info. Sheet of printed paper given and told to wait. Had to listen carefully to the announcement system and no more than 15 minutes later, thought we heard his name so I asked at the desk and told Room 1. Lady doctor. No English. Used the ‘phone to translate and soon sorted.
Prescriptions given and after thanking her, we were off. I went into the Pharmacy to get the medication. 3 boxes of tablets and I was asked for €2.49. I said, “No”. 3 boxes. The pharmacist knew but explained that the Global Health Card paid 50% if the medication!
We’d never bothered to use our card before and simply paid. Isn’t it a wonderful system! Going to the medical centre was so effortless and free. Last year we went to Hospital Quiron and an emergency appointment with a doctor was €250. This reciprocal agreement is excellent so make sure you all have your cards if you are non residents like us.

Why did you go to Quirón for your emergency?

You could have gone to any public hospital and been treated on your GHIC.

Thought you had to pay full price for prescriptions when using the card.

In reply to your question Darro, it’s easy when you know. We’ve been coming to Torrevieja for over 20 years and I thought you had to find a doctor in a local health centre if you were ill Didn’t realise we could use the local Salud. Recently, I’ve come armed with antibiotics and other medicines…. Just Incase.

Is the Global health card a successor to the EHIC Card?

The health centre and salud are the same thing. Did you go La Loma? That's where the Friday market used to be. This one is where people go out of hours for emergencies when the normal doctor surgeries are closed.

El Stevo wrote:Is the Global health card a successor to the EHIC Card?

Yes Stevo, it's now called GHIC.

EHIC card still valid up to expiry date.

Went to La Loma and I remembered it from the old Friday market. I thought it had moved but still the same place!!

VMW wrote:

El Stevo wrote:Is the Global health card a successor to the EHIC Card?

Yes Stevo, it's now called GHIC.

You dont have to wait until the EHIC expires, you can update from the EHIC to the GHIC anytime. Its worth doing.

It's free on the NHS. Beware of the scammers trying to charge £30 if you google GHIC whilst in UK

I'm sure the link will be on here, but here it is anyway.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/health ... card-ghic/