tempisfugit

My sister is retired and has lived in Spain for 10 years. She had to have a hip operation last September. She was informed by Valencia that she was entitled to undergo the operation at San Jaime hospital in Torrevieja and that it would be paid for by the Spanish Health Service. However, her papers seemed to have "got lost" between Vieja Baja Hospital and Valencia and after a year of waiting she had her hip operation done privately because she was in so much pain and the authorities involved were less than helpful throughout the whole period.

Now I've been informed that the NHS in the UK pays the Spanish government for operations performed on UK pensioners who live in Spain. Does anyone know if this is correct? Has anyone out there got a similar story to relate?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Unexpat

If the treatment was done under a valid EHIC, or state pensioners who have properly registered their Health Status following the Issue to them of Form E121 (but see this page), then yes, the Spanish Health service reclaims monies from the UK Health service.

You may have to get in touch with the UK Health Authorities and argue the case that there was a conscious obstruction to obtaining treatment and therefore private health care had to be administered (some proof would be of course in your interests), but that the cost should still be borne by the UK Health service. Supply photocopies of all appropriate receipts, etc.

tempisfugit

Thank you very much for your advice. Much appreciated.