Hillybilly

Sanitas say that they provide an English speaking customer service department and that the majority of their network of doctors are English speaking too (however, I know this is not the case away from the coast for example) but that if communication is a problem then they will act as translators.

tim hortons man

That's good to know, were going to living in Tres Cantos near Madrid so I figure the chances are pretty good of getting an Enlgish speaking doctor.

Has anyone had any experience with the dental plan, its only 100 or so per year, do they cover crowns bridges etc?

Solarwhizz

I got the dental plan as part my overall plan, it is only for inspections, cleaning and preventative work, all else is payable, however they issue you with a list of charges which their registered dentist's charge, which so far has been about 25% + cheaper than going direct to a dentish, IE standard filling about 40 €,, I had a root canal done which was two consults with the dentist , then a specialist From alicante(Ordontologist I think), came in and did the deep drilling ,Xrays etc, took about two hours,then follow up visit to make sure I was ok and happy with, for 150€, inexpensive compared to the UK.

Sir John

hi there have you ever had to make claim with sanitas or use them for treatment ect ect,thats when you find out how good insurance is.

paris

Sir John

Hi if you return back to the uk for problems and see doctor(if you remained registered which is what everyone recommends you do) you should still be entitled to free healthcare unless you transfer all your healthcare to spain?,am i correct?

paris

Solarwhizz

This is second hand info, but a close neighbour, was diagnosed with cancer, and they have the Sanitas Classic, they have been covered with the Sanitas for all GP, hospitalisation medicines and Chemotherapy, the only thing she mentioned that wasnt covered was the cost of ambulances,,
I am registered thru an e106, and regularly go back and use my GP in the UK as does my wife, no issues as yet?

Sir John

hi back-what did you have to do regards an E-106?

paris

Mitzyboy

You get an E106 issued by the Dept of Work & Pensions (Intl) Newcastle before you leave and it covers you for two, maybe more, years health care in Spain - 0191 218 1999

Solarwhizz

Yep as Mitzboy says,, apply BEFORE you leave the UK to DWP at newcastle, then take to the Social Security office for your region, and they stamp it all up and then you take to your local Medical centre and they put you on the register of a doctor, and it stays like that,, suppose to be for two years, but I havent asked why its more, ( they might tell me??)

You can find out all the info you need here

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/medical_06.asp

Mitzyboy

Its supposed to last for 2 years, but you can apply for renewal after 2 years for another 2 years .... after that though, renewal is not usually granted. The idea is that it gives you health care whilst you are settling in the new country and trying to get a job.

Sir John

Thankyou Mitzboy,have you applied for this E106?,once you do this can you still get freeel healthcare if you decided to return back to the uk?.

paris

Sir John

Thankyou for the advice Solarwhizz,that is most useful,as i said to mitzboy have you actually used E106 and gone through the procedure?,have you actually had to use the healthcare out in spain?

paris

Solarwhizz

Yep used them both.. private and Spanish, on E106, and now I am employed I pay into the system.

Hospital in Elda, was really good, and more importantly most of the doctors spoke good english, nurses didnt though, but the place was clean, Nurses were excellent and doctors really good, good level of care I thought,

Sir John

Thanks for the informative reply back!-so to get this staight,before i leave the uk i need to get form E106,then take it to local S/S office in the area i am going to get stamped then go to medical centre and get registered with a doctor
i should be covered for 2 years correct?,as i asked mitzboy say if you went back to the uk either temporary or say permanently more importantly would i still be entitled to free health care treatment as before,this premise is based on returning back from spain after living there for say 2 years and it not working out?,god forbid looking on the worse case scenario.

paris

Solarwhizz

Sound good to me,, the only issue I can see is that I believe that to get an E106 you have to be working inthe UK prior to applying, but that may be my interpretation of the rules,, But you will only find out by applying,, as for cover in the UK as I said before, I and my wife have been going back for the last 4 years and visiting the GP as if nothing as changed, so either the system in the UK aint capable or it is the norm