JLFS

Ihad never heard that one, and according to the following it seems you are incorrect.
Being without health cover will affect about 65000 people in Galivia according to the article.

http://www.publico.es/espana/407751/...jeta-sanitaria

There are plenty of angry posters on the comments section too.

njf

My wife and I are moving near Marbella next month. I approached one broker who said that, as I am 62, most companies would not consider giving me medical insurance and any that would will be very expensive. This thread suggests that maybe that is not true. I have particularly seen the reference to Prevision Medica and I will try to find out about them. Any others known to cover us 'oldies' at a reasonable rate?

Also, are there any that will do it on a moritorium basis, as it is known in the UK, where you do not have to disclose existing or past conditions but you are not covered for the first couple of years for anything pre-existing?

TIA

norm

Lynn R

njf, my OH was 59 when we took out our policy with Prevision Medica, and getting cover was no problem at all. I believe that they will also continue to cover you once you pass the age of 65 with no increase in premiums apart from the normal annual inflation increase. You can get a quote from them online and also arrange the cover online without needing to go through a broker. They have English speaking staff and you can communicate with them by phone or email in English if you need to. Can't recall the url but just Google Prevision Medica.

lynnxa

if you are paying NI in the UK now & have been for some years you can be covered for healthcare here for up to 2.5 years using an S1 which you apply for before you leave the UK http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...lthcare/#early

njf

Thanks to you both (both Lynns?).

I have asked for a quotation on the Prevision Medica website and waiting for this even though it says the reply should be 'immediate'. Hopefully soon. Cannot find details of the terms and conditions on the website as I would like to see how they deal with past conditions. Maybe the email quote will cover that.

I had found out about the S1. I was told I can only apply for the form four weeks before leaving the UK and I will be doing that on Tuesday, 28 days before our ferry from Portsmouth. My understanding is that this gives us access to the Spanish national health scheme. Not sure yet if I can get 2 or 2 1/2 years cover but I believe I will get the cover when I reach UK state pension age and start receiving my state pension. Cannot remember whether my wife, who is quite a bit younger than me, will get the cover when I am 65. Will check when I phone them on Tuesday.

Thanks again.

lynnxa

yes, us Lynns are good aren't we

whenever either you or your wife (whoever gets it first) begins to get state pension from the UK the other will be covered as a dependent

njf

Forgive me for asking something that must have been asked many times before but, if my wife and I can get free healthcare with an S1, are the benefits of paying for insurance, the same as those in the UK - faster treatment of non-emergency ailments, single room accommodation in hospitals and possibly more 'care'?

Lynn R

Pretty much yes, I suppose. We only took out private insurance because we had to, as we were 57 and 50 when we moved to Spain and after our 2-years' cover from the S1 ran out we would not be entitled to public health treatment for several years. I wouldn't have bothered otherwise, I have heard nothing but good reports about the Spanish system, at least where I live.

Fred James

We have cover with PM and are also on the Spanish system.

The benefits are much faster treatment and quicker diagnostic tests for even minor problems.

If you have a heart attack then the state system will cope better and faster but for the average problems the private system is better. Most of the doctors on the NHS will be happy to accept reports from private doctors and prescribe the drugs (subject to the usual limitations) but that is down to the individual doctor.

Pre-existing problems are not covered - of course you can choose not declare them and take a chance, but it could be a problem.

PM don't increase the premium or reduce the cover when you get to 65 but they do have slightly more restricted cover for things like prosthetics (or any bits they leave inside you like hips, heart valves or stents) but you get what you pay for.

Many companies have a basic "consultation" charge which can be as much as €12 but PM only charge €1.60 a visit.

Lynn R

In the 3 years' we've been covered by them, PM have never charged us anything at all for a visit (not that €1.60 is very much). We got a book of 5 vouchers (they call them cheques de asistencia) when we took out the policy and either ring up or email them to request more as and when we need them, they post them out to us and there has never been any charge.

Fred James

That's the charge I mentioned - the cost of the vouchers.

Lynn R

That's what I thought you meant, but it is odd that you are charged for them and I am not.

Fred James

Interesting! I will check with them. Maybe they add it to your subscription?

Lynn R

I don't think so. We have just had the normal annual increases applied to our premiums each year. I did check my bank account to make sure nothing additional had been taken out by Prevision Medica, and it has not. Did you arrange cover/get your vouchers from an agent, or direct from PM? If via an agent, maybe they make a small charge?

Fred James

We get our vouchers from an agent so you could be right.

I will try them direct but €1.60 for an MRI seems OK!