Spanish NHS Healthcare
Jan 10th 2015, 2:14 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2014
Location: Herts
Posts: 144
Spanish NHS Healthcare
Happy New Year All...........
Whats your views on this video taken from Spanish Advice Bureau
Hope this starts a good chin-wag on here!
All the best
Keith.
Whats your views on this video taken from Spanish Advice Bureau
Hope this starts a good chin-wag on here!
All the best
Keith.
Jan 10th 2015, 3:48 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Sayalonga
Posts: 256
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
What ex-pat residents should be entitled to and what they can actually get are two completely different things.
We were lucky enough to get signed onto the NHS during what appeared to be a short window of opportunity and met the criteria. We have cards.
Friends of ours who have lived here for maybe 18 months now are currently trying to get into the NHS system. For them the free access window seems to have pretty much closed. But if they pay 60 euros per month each they *should* be able to sign up and get the medical cards. Currently going through the process and even with a spanish helper with good knowledge of the system they had to jump through many hoops and spend many hours at the social security office in Velez Malaga. They apparently haven't processed such an application before so it was all new to them. Paperwork has been sent away and they are waiting to hear the outcome. Probably best not to hold their breath.
We were lucky enough to get signed onto the NHS during what appeared to be a short window of opportunity and met the criteria. We have cards.
Friends of ours who have lived here for maybe 18 months now are currently trying to get into the NHS system. For them the free access window seems to have pretty much closed. But if they pay 60 euros per month each they *should* be able to sign up and get the medical cards. Currently going through the process and even with a spanish helper with good knowledge of the system they had to jump through many hoops and spend many hours at the social security office in Velez Malaga. They apparently haven't processed such an application before so it was all new to them. Paperwork has been sent away and they are waiting to hear the outcome. Probably best not to hold their breath.
Jan 12th 2015, 7:41 am
#3
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2014
Location: Herts
Posts: 144
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
Morning Bob,
Its so frustrating trying to clarify this issue!
thank you for your imput.
Keith.
Its so frustrating trying to clarify this issue!
thank you for your imput.
Keith.
Jan 12th 2015, 9:44 am
#4
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Posts: 5,158
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
What ex-pat residents should be entitled to and what they can actually get are two completely different things.
We were lucky enough to get signed onto the NHS during what appeared to be a short window of opportunity and met the criteria. We have cards.
Friends of ours who have lived here for maybe 18 months now are currently trying to get into the NHS system. For them the free access window seems to have pretty much closed. But if they pay 60 euros per month each they *should* be able to sign up and get the medical cards. Currently going through the process and even with a spanish helper with good knowledge of the system they had to jump through many hoops and spend many hours at the social security office in Velez Malaga. They apparently haven't processed such an application before so it was all new to them. Paperwork has been sent away and they are waiting to hear the outcome. Probably best not to hold their breath.
We were lucky enough to get signed onto the NHS during what appeared to be a short window of opportunity and met the criteria. We have cards.
Friends of ours who have lived here for maybe 18 months now are currently trying to get into the NHS system. For them the free access window seems to have pretty much closed. But if they pay 60 euros per month each they *should* be able to sign up and get the medical cards. Currently going through the process and even with a spanish helper with good knowledge of the system they had to jump through many hoops and spend many hours at the social security office in Velez Malaga. They apparently haven't processed such an application before so it was all new to them. Paperwork has been sent away and they are waiting to hear the outcome. Probably best not to hold their breath.
... if they were legally here before April 2012, then they are automatically entitled to (free) health care. Their local INSS office knows this and should be able to help.
However, many people are not here fully legally, that is, with ´residencia´, filling in tax returns, on padron etc. etc.
Having said all of that, we have been here (legally) for over 8 years now and can not get cover. Even our children can not get cover and they are still at school. I escalated the situation to the consulate and they tried to help but failed. Just goes to show how different parts of Spain differ!!!
Jan 12th 2015, 12:16 pm
#5
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 990
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
... if they were legally here before April 2012, then they are automatically entitled to (free) health care. Their local INSS office knows this and should be able to help.
However, many people are not here fully legally, that is, with ´residencia´, filling in tax returns, on padron etc. etc.
Having said all of that, we have been here (legally) for over 8 years now and can not get cover. Even our children can not get cover and they are still at school. I escalated the situation to the consulate and they tried to help but failed. Just goes to show how different parts of Spain differ!!!
However, many people are not here fully legally, that is, with ´residencia´, filling in tax returns, on padron etc. etc.
Having said all of that, we have been here (legally) for over 8 years now and can not get cover. Even our children can not get cover and they are still at school. I escalated the situation to the consulate and they tried to help but failed. Just goes to show how different parts of Spain differ!!!
Jan 12th 2015, 1:44 pm
#6
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Posts: 5,158
Jan 12th 2015, 3:09 pm
#7
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,898
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
No doubt, when the Devomax deal is done with the Scots they will have different taxes as well.
Jan 12th 2015, 3:15 pm
#8
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 990
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
It's not really any different in the UK. Remember that there are effectively four autonomous regions in the UK and they all have different rules about healthcare and other issues.
No doubt, when the Devomax deal is done with the Scots they will have different taxes as well.
No doubt, when the Devomax deal is done with the Scots they will have different taxes as well.
The NHS is free to ALL
Although different regions have different budgets no one is refused health cover!
Jan 12th 2015, 6:21 pm
#9
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 977
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
It's not really any different in the UK. Remember that there are effectively four autonomous regions in the UK and they all have different rules about healthcare and other issues.
No doubt, when the Devomax deal is done with the Scots they will have different taxes as well.
No doubt, when the Devomax deal is done with the Scots they will have different taxes as well.
Then 15000 Welsh patients registered with English GP's. Of course health is devolved in Wales from England. Surely that is the same in Spain where health is devolved from Madrid to the provinces.
I have a rather jaundiced view as to Valencia Health and that based upon experiences of 2013. Better prepared hopefully for a month or two when we return to Spain.
Jan 13th 2015, 12:38 pm
#10
¿Dónde estoy?
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: my paradise - Jávea
Posts: 13,330
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
Spanish Advice Bureau????
Jan 13th 2015, 3:48 pm
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Sayalonga
Posts: 256
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
... if they were legally here before April 2012, then they are automatically entitled to (free) health care. Their local INSS office knows this and should be able to help.
However, many people are not here fully legally, that is, with ´residencia´, filling in tax returns, on padron etc. etc.
Having said all of that, we have been here (legally) for over 8 years now and can not get cover. Even our children can not get cover and they are still at school. I escalated the situation to the consulate and they tried to help but failed. Just goes to show how different parts of Spain differ!!!
However, many people are not here fully legally, that is, with ´residencia´, filling in tax returns, on padron etc. etc.
Having said all of that, we have been here (legally) for over 8 years now and can not get cover. Even our children can not get cover and they are still at school. I escalated the situation to the consulate and they tried to help but failed. Just goes to show how different parts of Spain differ!!!
Where did that arbitrary cutoff date come from anyway? Spanish govt pulling fast one I bet.
Jan 13th 2015, 5:00 pm
#13
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
Posts: 5,158
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
Apologies as I missed that they had only been her 18 months.
Jan 27th 2015, 12:33 pm
#14
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Joined: Jun 2014
Location: Herts
Posts: 144
Re: Spanish NHS Healthcare
UPDATE...........
Hi all,
Shall we hold our breath???????????????????
Profile photo of Maria Cecilia Tacchi
Maria Cecilia Tacchi
0
Update on Healthcare for Residents with Permit Issued after April 2012. Meeting with Lawyers
Posted 26/01/2015 · 4 Comments
Citizens Advice Bureau Spain New & Views
We met with one of the CAB lawyers to talk about our claim with the INSS about people holding a valid residencia permit and being refused health care.
He agreed that the language of the law is VERY obvious, so the more people that present complaints, the easier it will be for them to retract their stance. It might even be possible to avoid going to trial, this is great news as costs could be avoided!
I cannot stress enough how important is that everybody that is in this position, should go to the INSS and ask for healthcare. If denied, they should present a complaints letter in Spanish. Suggest that I am willing to draft the letter giving precedents that have been set but I am afraid that there will be a small cost for the letter.
There will come a moment where the letter will reach a critical mass, and they will have to abide by the law, or be in danger of committing what is called "prevaricación", this is the definition : when an authority , issues an arbitrary decision in an administrative or judicial proceeding, knowing that that decision is unfair.
It is possible that be refusing healthcare, the SS may be committing what is known in Spanish as 'prevaricación, this is serious and considered as a penal offence which is included in the penal code (articles 358 and 359).
So, acting together I have all the confidence we will prevail.
Hi all,
Shall we hold our breath???????????????????
Profile photo of Maria Cecilia Tacchi
Maria Cecilia Tacchi
0
Update on Healthcare for Residents with Permit Issued after April 2012. Meeting with Lawyers
Posted 26/01/2015 · 4 Comments
Citizens Advice Bureau Spain New & Views
We met with one of the CAB lawyers to talk about our claim with the INSS about people holding a valid residencia permit and being refused health care.
He agreed that the language of the law is VERY obvious, so the more people that present complaints, the easier it will be for them to retract their stance. It might even be possible to avoid going to trial, this is great news as costs could be avoided!
I cannot stress enough how important is that everybody that is in this position, should go to the INSS and ask for healthcare. If denied, they should present a complaints letter in Spanish. Suggest that I am willing to draft the letter giving precedents that have been set but I am afraid that there will be a small cost for the letter.
There will come a moment where the letter will reach a critical mass, and they will have to abide by the law, or be in danger of committing what is called "prevaricación", this is the definition : when an authority , issues an arbitrary decision in an administrative or judicial proceeding, knowing that that decision is unfair.
It is possible that be refusing healthcare, the SS may be committing what is known in Spanish as 'prevaricación, this is serious and considered as a penal offence which is included in the penal code (articles 358 and 359).
So, acting together I have all the confidence we will prevail.
