Owls

Newbie here.....
Hi, looking to permanently move to Spain in a couple of months and trying to sort out private healthcare for the Malaga region. I'm 64, the boss is 49 both in good health, my question is over the qualification periods for treatment after taking a health policy out, many have between 3-10 months before some treatments could commence. I know before Dec I can claim through EHIC if emergency but my thought process is what would happen if I was taken ill but wasn't covered until after the qualification period, has anyone had similar instances or know of a company with shorter qualification periods as I'm possibly looking at the wrong companies!!!
Many thanks in anticipation.

Lynn R

These are pretty much standard with all private health insurance companies and I don't think you would find much variation between different policies. Emergency treatment, and GP visits, are not subject to waiting periods with my insurer, and again I think that's generally the case.

Owls

Thank you Lynn, saved me a lot of work.

grantbase

Hi there. I’m starting the process of arranging healthcare in Spain & wondered if you have any advice on which provider to use??
Many thanks.

Owls

as I understand it it depends where you are as each region works slightly different and has its own providers. I’m struggling with pre existing conditions ( non life threatening ) and would appreciate it if anyone knows a company that includes in the Malaga region.

Joppa

https://www.healthplanspain.com/freq...y-via-nie.html

breakfasttea

SANITAS is with immediate effect cover once you’ve signed the contract

Owls

Considered Sanitas, but still won’t cover my wife’s pre existing but looks like we’ll just have to bite the bullet.

Notdunroamin

If you are moving then technically your EHIC will become invalid on the day you arrive.

Joppa

But in practice you can still use EHIC until you register for health care with local INSS (social security office).

Barriej

I have healthcare with Aegon.es and they cover most minor things. I have no issues but the wife has asthma and high blood pressure. They have said that she will be covered for these after 3 months of starting the policy.
Heart conditions or cancer are unfortunately either not covered or the policy has a very high cost.
We took them out in March as we were due to move over but didn't.
Cost for the year was around €620 each. But obviously we only paid from April. I've had the renewal through (starts 01.01.21) and mine is cheaper as I have no issues. The wife's is the same as before.

Only issue with them is everything is only in Spanish. They have no English or other language help.
We will renew and once we have been resident for a year we will go for the local healthcare.

Owls

Thank you everyone for your responses, we're looking to move next month, I've been looking at Previsión Médica, S.A. and they have been very good in responding to questions and price wise decent €1500 for the year for both of us which is much cheaper than Sanitas for the same benefits well for us anyway, aware price varies for all of us. My wife has Chronic Uticaria which no one seems to cover its not life threatening, but as with all allergic conditions can flare up without notice!
I'll investigate Aegon, cheers Barriej.

el collado kid

When we were on private health care the only problems i had when i was quite ill,If my illness involved my pre existing condition i had to pay the medical cost while the private health care is first class, we feel the nhs is better for us ,IE better sharing of records same doctor and hospital

Owls

Unfortunately I'm 64 and don't qualify for the state NHS for a couple of years so have to provide in the meantime. Totally agree with you come the time I'm sure we'll revert (if we can).

Lynn R

Are you quite sure about that? See the section entitled Waiting Periods here:-

https://www.sanitasexpat.com/mas-salud-cover/