Healthcare in Spain
Jan 21st 2013, 7:59 am
#31
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Posts: 2,624
Re: Healthcare in Spain
The EU law says that the EHIC is issued by the country where you are resident and receiving medical cover.
A UK issued EHIC has no validity in the UK, only in other countries within the EU.
As to early retirement, well it can depend on how early
An S1 can only be issued for a maximum of 2 years, although it can be renewed in certain cases such as those working for govt departments, embassies etc.
After that you will require medical insurance until such time as the actual retirement date, after which a "permanant" S1 is issued. My local experience tells me they know exactly what to do with it, and I had an acknowledgement back inside 10 days - but some may have a different story.
My biggest problem has been the local medical centre not knowing which direction to send paper relating to guiri's.
`
A UK issued EHIC has no validity in the UK, only in other countries within the EU.
As to early retirement, well it can depend on how early
An S1 can only be issued for a maximum of 2 years, although it can be renewed in certain cases such as those working for govt departments, embassies etc.
After that you will require medical insurance until such time as the actual retirement date, after which a "permanant" S1 is issued. My local experience tells me they know exactly what to do with it, and I had an acknowledgement back inside 10 days - but some may have a different story.
My biggest problem has been the local medical centre not knowing which direction to send paper relating to guiri's.
`
In my case, I now live in France but work a day or two a month in the UK, and pay tax and NI in the UK on my earnings.
Overseas Healthcare issue my EHIC. This also happened when I lived in Spain.
On an extra note, I was pleasantly surprised when I read it to discover that French comprehensive car insurance includes travel and health cover. Our agent told me that many English people here do not know about it as they cannot read the policy. Does anyone know if that might also be the case in spain? Or not?
Jan 21st 2013, 8:35 am
#32
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,918
Re: Healthcare in Spain
Normally a UK issued EHIC is not valid in the UK but these "special" cards have a special code on them which allows them to be used in the UK.
Jan 21st 2013, 9:33 am
#33
Senior Moment
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Posts: 20,460
Re: Healthcare in Spain
Jan 21st 2013, 10:11 am
#34
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Healthcare in Spain
OK, I got it a little bit wrong
but my post was based on the information that I hold as current.
It would be helpful if more links were provided so everyone can read the latest current situation
rgds
but my post was based on the information that I hold as current.
It would be helpful if more links were provided so everyone can read the latest current situation
rgds
Jan 21st 2013, 10:30 am
#35
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,918
Re: Healthcare in Spain
The links in the Free Beer thread are all very old and not updated.
If you wish, you can enter any useful information in the forum Wiki.
Other than that, if you want the latest links you can always Google for them.
If you would like to take on the job of updating all the Free Beer info I am sure that can be arranged.
If you wish, you can enter any useful information in the forum Wiki.
Other than that, if you want the latest links you can always Google for them.
If you would like to take on the job of updating all the Free Beer info I am sure that can be arranged.
Jan 21st 2013, 10:34 am
#36
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: Healthcare in Spain
The links in the Free Beer thread are all very old and not updated.
If you wish, you can enter any useful information in the forum Wiki.
Other than that, if you want the latest links you can always Google for them.
If you would like to take on the job of updating all the Free Beer info I am sure that can be arranged.
If you wish, you can enter any useful information in the forum Wiki.
Other than that, if you want the latest links you can always Google for them.
If you would like to take on the job of updating all the Free Beer info I am sure that can be arranged.
didnt get any free beer either
Jan 21st 2013, 10:41 am
#37
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: Healthcare in Spain
My suggestion on the EHIC was for those who might be travelling. Not a substitute for long-term cover.
Jan 21st 2013, 11:31 am
#38
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Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: Healthcare in Spain
If an ex-pat pensioner goes to the UK and uses their EHIC for non-urgent treatment (many do), who picks up the tab? Would it be Spain seeing that the UK is paying about 6000pa. to Spain for their treatment. I visited a friend over Xmas and she is in the UK for a couple of months for a heart op although she is in the spanish system.
Jan 21st 2013, 11:38 am
#39
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: On the edge
Posts: 20,460
Re: Healthcare in Spain
If an ex-pat pensioner goes to the UK and uses their EHIC for non-urgent treatment (many do), who picks up the tab? Would it be Spain seeing that the UK is paying about 6000pa. to Spain for their treatment. I visited a friend over Xmas and she is in the UK for a couple of months for a heart op although she is in the spanish system.
Some many years ago I needed to see a doctor in the UK and went but was charged £30 for a consultation. If it happened to me then it should happen to all.
I have the "Spanish" EHIC card but have never used it. I have annual travel insurance so cover it that way.
Jan 21st 2013, 11:39 am
#40
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Healthcare in Spain
If an ex-pat pensioner goes to the UK and uses their EHIC for non-urgent treatment (many do), who picks up the tab? Would it be Spain seeing that the UK is paying about 6000pa. to Spain for their treatment. I visited a friend over Xmas and she is in the UK for a couple of months for a heart op although she is in the spanish system.
If the NHS check the records properly then she should get a bill which she would need to pay personally. The same would happen if she was resident in the UK but went to Spain for a heart operation
Of course, the Spanish hospital is much more likely to check their records carefully than the British one
Jan 21st 2013, 12:11 pm
#41
Started off with nothing
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,949
Re: Healthcare in Spain
If an ex-pat pensioner goes to the UK and uses their EHIC for non-urgent treatment (many do), who picks up the tab? Would it be Spain seeing that the UK is paying about 6000pa. to Spain for their treatment. I visited a friend over Xmas and she is in the UK for a couple of months for a heart op although she is in the spanish system.
Jan 21st 2013, 12:28 pm
#42
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Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: Healthcare in Spain
Yes I know it's not correct but it seems to be happening a lot. There are also still a lot below pension age living in Spain and using a EHIC card as their only means to get free medical. Although quite rightly they have tightened up on the CDS.
Jan 21st 2013, 12:35 pm
#43
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,641
Re: Healthcare in Spain
Thing with travel insurance is (certainly some of the ones I have had for holidays) that you should also have EHIC as well as the insurance, but as if you are early retired and living in Spain you are unable to get one? not condoning fiddling the system but start to see why some do i.e. live in Spain but don't de register from Doctor. I am at a loss to see though why if you are in the Spanish system and entitled to get the treatment/operation required in Spain you go to the UK and fiddle the system?
Jan 21st 2013, 12:47 pm
#44
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,949
Re: Healthcare in Spain
PS: In case you are in any doubt - I was being sarcastic.
I have great respect for foreign doctors. Without them, NHS waiting times would be even worse than they are now.
Jan 21st 2013, 12:49 pm
#45
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
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Posts: 20,460
Re: Healthcare in Spain
Thing with travel insurance is (certainly some of the ones I have had for holidays) that you should also have EHIC as well as the insurance, but as if you are early retired and living in Spain you are unable to get one? not condoning fiddling the system but start to see why some do i.e. live in Spain but don't de register from Doctor. I am at a loss to see though why if you are in the Spanish system and entitled to get the treatment/operation required in Spain you go to the UK and fiddle the system?
The lady is fiddling the system accessing something she had paid into her whole life? Whereas if she had it done in Spain then the NHS would still end up paying through the reciprocal agreement? This aint quite the same morally imho as claiming housing benefit or unemployment whilst living in Spain.
Its a question of location I guess. Peoples health is very important to them and having the reassurance of discussing matters in a system you have been in all your life may come into it