Rawranavi

yeah? what problems? : DDD
Jes, how smart you are. I am amazed.

Sue

Folk are just trying to point out how things are in Spain. Don't shoot the messenger. You are new here, so if you've only joined to use our site as a platform to have a rant, then you've come to the wrong place. We are a community here, so take some time to get to know everyone, if that is not your intention then maybe you would be better of posting on holiday/travel sites rather than an expat site.

EMR

Clearly not as smart as someone who thinks that everyone in Spain should speak english and that they can travel without insurance or a UK EHIC.

Rosemary

Surely if it was a car accident the car insurance should pay your medical bill.

Rosemary

Domino

I am continually being shocked at the attitude of Brits who come to Spain and expect to get access to services at the drop of a hat and in English.

But my recent experiences with the Andalucian Health Service here in Granada is still one of pleasant surprise at the caring attitude in A&E, surgery, rehab etc etc, with so many people only too willing to stop and help, and who can speak perfectly good English. The only thing that limits this is their desire Not to make a mistake when talking about surgery and important medical matters.
But so far a 10 out of 10.

It is my understanding that anyone who is taken to hospital by taxi would have to pay for the taxi. But anyone from another country would have to prove their eligibility to medical care when in Spain. Yes, this is the same in the UK, but they are more lax about things and there are £several millions each year not paid by people who are not eligible for NHS Treatment.

Isn't it incumbent on the individual travelling to ensure they are aware of the rules appertaining to those countries they are going to ??? Ignorance isn't bliss when involved in an accident.

And how many other people were involved in the car accident ??? How were they treated ??

More to this than meets the eye - we need EMR to ask more prying questions here


To the OP - pay up and be glad you are still alive, remember next time to have insurance and the EHIC next to your credit card.

rgds

Rosemary

In 2001 I had an accident in Sorrento, Italy. Dealt with at the local hospital, head stitched and kept in for 3 days due to concussion. Althought this town seems to absolutely depend on tourism no one in the hospital spoke English, I was not surprised because these workers were not involved with tourism but with health. They asked for my passport, my EHIC, my insurance certificate and also asked me to sign to say that any shortfall would be met by me. I was fully covered by my holiday insurance so did not incur any bills for the ambulance, medical care, MRI´s or hospital stay, however I had to have my stitches removed by a doctor in the private sector before leaving the town and had to pay her charges immediately but I was able to claim this back from the insurance company when I returned to the UK.

Rosemary

Neptuno

Of course every one should have travel insurance, but do people realise that insurance firms will not give you any cover if you are awaiting any investigation or result. Once you have a result and/or diagnosis they will cover you, for an increased charge.If you choose not to inform the company of this or any existing conditions,when applying for insurance, should anything happen on your holiday your insurance will be null and void.Also, if you have been approved for insurance and afterwards something happens and you have an operation, a new diagnosis, or are waiting for an investigation to be performed, or the results from blood tests, again,your insurance will be null and void.
Many people, when booking their flight, tick the box for cheap insurance;do they think to inform the company of any existing conditions?many do not, so the insurance is useless.

sam54140

hello
how much would be a good Spanish insurance policy for a single person,
40+ ? around EUR 400 a year ? with dentals.
what is the cost also for having access to the Andalucian supposed to be free public health service ?


thank you

cricketman

The public health service was never "supposed to be free" in Spain. It is only for those who contribute to it, and always has been

In reality 99.9% of Spaniards are covered, but it is not a birth right of Spaniards or of any other nationality in Spain

You cannot use the public heath service in Spain unless you pay social security payments. And you can only pay social security payments if you are working legally. Pensioners from other EU countries are exempt

This is how almost all national health systems work in Europe. The UK being the exception

sam54140

so if either you pay yr income tax in Spain or are employed there, you can
pay for social security and thus have access to free health care and if anything else is not covered by the ss, then you private Spanish health insurance will cover the difference. correct?

rgds

me me

No, just being a tax payer in Spain does not entitle you to health care.

cricketman

Not entirely

If you pay annual income tax in Spain you are still not covered. You need to pay monthly social security contributions. You can only pay these if you are employed or self-employed (the minimum amount is 260 euros per month).

If you are working for a living then you must pay social security contributions

If you choose not to work for a living and are under retirement age, then you must pay for your own health provision, either through an insurance policy or paying cash when needed

sam54140

as far as i know, if autonomo, it's capped at 250-260euros a month.
no matter what yr income is.
and yes i meant to have the "right" to pay for ss if you are employed
or self employed. that's all.
and on top of it, very very wise to have your own Spanish(and European)
private health insurance. I read it's about EUR 400-500 for a single person, per year.

Lynn R

It might depend somewhat on your age, but my OH and I currently pay €106 per month for private health insurance for the two of us (aged 57 and 63), if that's any use as a guide.

sam54140

thanks. that's what I found too, about EUR 800-1200 a year for a couple in their fifties.
rgds