Healthcare in Spain
Jun 7th 2013, 5:22 pm
#31
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
So you automatically believe sur in English
Jun 7th 2013, 5:27 pm
#32
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Jun 10th 2013, 10:09 am
#33
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
This is of course a separate issue to tourists either presenting themselves at private hospitals for treatment, because they aren't aware of the distinction (easily done especially in the stress of an emergency situation) and where naturally an EHIC card will not be accepted, or being directed to such hospitals by hotel staff or taxi drivers who may be receiving financial inducement to send them there. There isn't much that can be done about that except raising awareness amongst tourists of the need to make sure it is a state hospital they go to.
As far as financial inducements, thats the bit that annoys me and the more people can be made aware of this practice and what they should be asking for, the better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvxzJjmEhiE
Last edited by MaryJones; Jun 10th 2013 at 10:13 am.
Jun 10th 2013, 11:47 am
#34
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
I said in the original thread on this issue (Spanish state hospitals refusing to accept EHIC cards) that I would like to know some figures to demonstrate the real scale of this problem.
Well, now I know. In today's Sur in English (unfortunately I can't post a link because the story doesn't seem to be on their website yet, only in the pdf version of the online paper) is an article which states that the EC has complained to Spain about 20 such cases (that's 20 across the whole of Spain). For four of those cases they supplied supporting documentation, and three of those four related to the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, where according to a hospital spokesperson 85,000 foreigners are treated each year. 3 out of 85,000 is an absolutely miniscule proportion, and I am now confirmed in my belief that (surprise, surprise) this story was greatly exaggerated by the British tabloid press.
This is of course a separate issue to tourists either presenting themselves at private hospitals for treatment, because they aren't aware of the distinction (easily done especially in the stress of an emergency situation) and where naturally an EHIC card will not be accepted, or being directed to such hospitals by hotel staff or taxi drivers who may be receiving financial inducement to send them there. There isn't much that can be done about that except raising awareness amongst tourists of the need to make sure it is a state hospital they go to.
Well, now I know. In today's Sur in English (unfortunately I can't post a link because the story doesn't seem to be on their website yet, only in the pdf version of the online paper) is an article which states that the EC has complained to Spain about 20 such cases (that's 20 across the whole of Spain). For four of those cases they supplied supporting documentation, and three of those four related to the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, where according to a hospital spokesperson 85,000 foreigners are treated each year. 3 out of 85,000 is an absolutely miniscule proportion, and I am now confirmed in my belief that (surprise, surprise) this story was greatly exaggerated by the British tabloid press.
This is of course a separate issue to tourists either presenting themselves at private hospitals for treatment, because they aren't aware of the distinction (easily done especially in the stress of an emergency situation) and where naturally an EHIC card will not be accepted, or being directed to such hospitals by hotel staff or taxi drivers who may be receiving financial inducement to send them there. There isn't much that can be done about that except raising awareness amongst tourists of the need to make sure it is a state hospital they go to.
Jun 10th 2013, 3:56 pm
#35
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Now come on try and be serious, Stevie, even if it's just for this once.
Is anyone naive enough to believe that the EU would even bother considering a case, let alone pressing forward with it, if it only applied to those twenty cases ?
As has already been made clear the numbers in the UK alone are far, far in excess of that and then take into account that there are 27 countries in the EU many of which have also put forward their complaints.
Are you really stupid enough to believe that the EU would try to bring forward documentation and everything else involved, on every single case they have been presented with ?
I would have thought it is fairly obvious to anyone with even half a brain cell that the cases presented are simply to prove their point to the Spanish authorities.
To put forward the full documentation of every single case brought to their attention would be ridiculous even by their own standards and probably keep them busy for the next fifty years or more.
I know you prefer to live in cloud cuckoo land, but what's the point of making it so obvious ?
Is anyone naive enough to believe that the EU would even bother considering a case, let alone pressing forward with it, if it only applied to those twenty cases ?
As has already been made clear the numbers in the UK alone are far, far in excess of that and then take into account that there are 27 countries in the EU many of which have also put forward their complaints.
Are you really stupid enough to believe that the EU would try to bring forward documentation and everything else involved, on every single case they have been presented with ?
I would have thought it is fairly obvious to anyone with even half a brain cell that the cases presented are simply to prove their point to the Spanish authorities.
To put forward the full documentation of every single case brought to their attention would be ridiculous even by their own standards and probably keep them busy for the next fifty years or more.
I know you prefer to live in cloud cuckoo land, but what's the point of making it so obvious ?
Jun 10th 2013, 4:42 pm
#36
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Now come on try and be serious, Stevie, even if it's just for this once.
Is anyone naive enough to believe that the EU would even bother considering a case, let alone pressing forward with it, if it only applied to those twenty cases ?
As has already been made clear the numbers in the UK alone are far, far in excess of that and then take into account that there are 27 countries in the EU many of which have also put forward their complaints.
Are you really stupid enough to believe that the EU would try to bring forward documentation and everything else involved, on every single case they have been presented with ?
I would have thought it is fairly obvious to anyone with even half a brain cell that the cases presented are simply to prove their point to the Spanish authorities.
To put forward the full documentation of every single case brought to their attention would be ridiculous even by their own standards and probably keep them busy for the next fifty years or more.
I know you prefer to live in cloud cuckoo land, but what's the point of making it so obvious ?
Is anyone naive enough to believe that the EU would even bother considering a case, let alone pressing forward with it, if it only applied to those twenty cases ?
As has already been made clear the numbers in the UK alone are far, far in excess of that and then take into account that there are 27 countries in the EU many of which have also put forward their complaints.
Are you really stupid enough to believe that the EU would try to bring forward documentation and everything else involved, on every single case they have been presented with ?
I would have thought it is fairly obvious to anyone with even half a brain cell that the cases presented are simply to prove their point to the Spanish authorities.
To put forward the full documentation of every single case brought to their attention would be ridiculous even by their own standards and probably keep them busy for the next fifty years or more.
I know you prefer to live in cloud cuckoo land, but what's the point of making it so obvious ?
Jun 10th 2013, 5:11 pm
#37
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
I would have thought it only basic common sense just to supply enough evidence to the Spanish authorities to prove that it is actually happening.
Beyond that what's the point ?
To get involved in making a case and supplying whatever evidence is required on even a small percentage of the total number of complaints involved would more than likely be mind boggling.
Jun 10th 2013, 5:18 pm
#38
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
I would have thought it only basic common sense just to supply enough evidence to the Spanish authorities to prove that it is actually happening.
Beyond that what's the point ?
To get involved in making a case and supplying whatever evidence is required on even a small percentage of the total number of complaints involved would more than likely be mind boggling.
Beyond that what's the point ?
To get involved in making a case and supplying whatever evidence is required on even a small percentage of the total number of complaints involved would more than likely be mind boggling.
I believe what has happened is that the British press has lumped together the two separate elements of this problem
a) the small number of people who have been refused treatment with an EHIC by Spanish public hospitals, and
b) the larger number of people who have been unable to use their EHIC at a private clinic or hospital, in some instances because they have been deliberately directed there.
in order to make a better story. It is perfectly obvious that no actual figures whatsoever were included in any of the British press reports, just vague statements like "an alarming number", "an increased number of complaints" and so on.
Mary's experience bears out the fact that many tourists still aren't aware that private establishments will not accept EHIC's, even after to my certain knowledge the British consulates have highlighted this issue every year for the past 3 years at least.
Jun 10th 2013, 5:31 pm
#39
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Laughable how the happy clappers hang on to something published in a Spanish ex-pat newspaper
The official EU Commission press release talks about "an increasing number of complaints" ...not just from the UK either! Here it is:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release....htm?locale=en
The official EU Commission press release talks about "an increasing number of complaints" ...not just from the UK either! Here it is:http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release....htm?locale=en
Jun 10th 2013, 5:40 pm
#40
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Not hard to see who needs the straws.
I could probably pick up on that many cases myself from my small circle of friends and acquaintances back in TF if I was still in touch with them, plus my own personal experience as well.
The mere tiniest of tiny drops in the ocean.
If you want to join Stevie in cloud cuckoo land then I wish you all the best.
As I mentioned before my concern is not only that it is happening, but why it is happening.
A coincidence maybe but strangely enough the private clinic to which myself and my friends were repeatedly being redirected was right next door to the state clinic.
Makes you think a bit eh, considering the slightly less than impecable record regarding corruption that seems to exist down here ?
I could probably pick up on that many cases myself from my small circle of friends and acquaintances back in TF if I was still in touch with them, plus my own personal experience as well.
The mere tiniest of tiny drops in the ocean.
If you want to join Stevie in cloud cuckoo land then I wish you all the best.
As I mentioned before my concern is not only that it is happening, but why it is happening.
A coincidence maybe but strangely enough the private clinic to which myself and my friends were repeatedly being redirected was right next door to the state clinic.
Makes you think a bit eh, considering the slightly less than impecable record regarding corruption that seems to exist down here ?
Jun 10th 2013, 5:44 pm
#41
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Very interesting, if I am resident in Spain and registered in its social security system can I request a EHIC card in Spain that will cover me for temporary visits to the UK, or anywhere else in Europe?
Jun 10th 2013, 5:52 pm
#42
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Laughable how the happy clappers hang on to something published in a Spanish ex-pat newspaper The official EU Commission press release talks about "an increasing number of complaints" ...not just from the UK either! Here it is:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release....htm?locale=en
The official EU Commission press release talks about "an increasing number of complaints" ...not just from the UK either! Here it is:http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release....htm?locale=en
"The European Commission has been in contact with the Spanish authorities about this issue since 2010. The Spanish authorities have indicated to the Commission that they have taken certain actions to tackle the issue. Nonetheless, the Commission continues to receive complaints about this practice by hospitals providing public healthcare services in tourist areas."
My guess is, as I mentioned before, that the usual backhanders and corruption are involved here, otherwise why on earth would they continue to risk ignoring the rules and regulations despite at least 3 years of repeated warnings. ?
Now remind me jacky if you can, just how many times Stevie questioned the fact that the EU was taking any action at all, despite all the concrete evidence that was repeatedly put under his nose ?
Jun 10th 2013, 5:53 pm
#43
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Jun 10th 2013, 6:14 pm
#44
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Location: Valencia
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Re: Healthcare in Spain
Jun 11th 2013, 8:58 am
#45
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Posts: 246
Re: Healthcare in Spain
Absolutely. You can apply online and you'll have it in your hands within a week (well in Valencia anyway). http://www.seg-social.es/Internet_6/...x.htm#128573_6
Don' t skimp on the medicine and only the very best, I will say.
