Talk Quesada forum

Hi Friends, we need some help. We are moving to Lo Crispin in May and need to sort out prescriptions. We can't get them from the UK as have no one to send them to us so we really need to sort things out, especially for my type 1 diabetic Husband. Please help, we have tried insurance companies in spain but they say they don't do diabetics!! Please help.

Sorry but there's more information needed.
Are you moving over permanently? Are you over retirement age?
At the moment, the EHIC covers you for emergency and necessary treatment and diabetic treatment is classed as necessary. You can get prescriptions issued on the back of the EHIC but would have to pay a certain amount of the costs depending on your age.

Of course, we have no idea if the EHIC will be valid after UK leaves the EU and you would need private health cover for the first year in any case.
You can buy insulin over the counter in Spain but, whilst not as expensive as UK, would still work out cost restrictive. I think a pack of 5 ampoules cost in the region of 50 euro.

Also, at the moment, in Quesada/Rojales you can sign on the padron and use your EHIC to obtain a temporary health card for doctor's appointments. Lo Crispin comes under Algorfa and I don't know if they do the same system. With that you can get prescriptions issued and just pay the reduced co-payment cost (10 or 40 per cent depending on age).
Maybe someone in Algorfa can enlighten you on that.

Hi, I am 48 and my Hubby who needs insulin is 58. We are moving there permanently with no views to going back to the UK anytime soon for a visit. Thanks for advice already given.

Guys if you are coming over permanent you really must make sure that you are fully covered. Sadly private insurances don't cover pre-existing conditions unless you are prepared to pay a LOT of money. Yes you at the moment can get temporary SIP cards but who knows if this will change.

You must take care of your health as anything can happen, sorry to pour water on your bonfire but so many people have come unstuck when they are here.

Good luck

Yes, health cover is fine if you’re officially retired and receiving a pension and have an S1 and SIP card but otherwise Private is a must until you’re one the state health system after working and paying into the state system
Private cover, as has been said, is difficult with pre existing conditions, but, I’m sure you checked all this before making plans for a permanent move, hopefully ?

Hi I have a Convenio Especial which allows me access to the NHS here, as I couldn't obtain insurance either! The cost is 60 euros a month. The downside is I have to pay for my insulin, metformina, blood testing strips, however the GP provides these for free. I used David Ruiz to make the application.

Thank you.

LSpring40 wrote:Hi I have a Convenio Especial which allows me access to the NHS here, as I couldn't obtain insurance either! The cost is 60 euros a month. The downside is I have to pay for my insulin, metformina, blood testing strips, however the GP provides these for free. I used David Ruiz to make the application.

Convenio Especial is due to be wound up. I think from May in the Valencia Region.
It has already been stopped in several of the autonomous regions.

Those on the system should be transferred to the Universal Healthcare System but, with Brexit and the upcoming General Election in Spain, who knows.

Even if does continue, you still need be legally resident in Spain for 12 months before joining the Convenio Especial and it won't pay for your prescriptions.