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Health Benefits
There is a huge amount of information on this website regarding Health and entitlements etc. please for specific subjects ie SIP cards, EHIC cards and your rights look under other headings under the health section
Here is some general information and guidance
The decision to leave your own country to take up life in another may well involve several gambles without even considering looking after your health, however when it does come to looking after your health, there can be nothing left to chance, even more so if children are involved.
Can you safely and confidently leave the health care you have in your own country to take up a new life in Spain?
It does depend where you wish to live and also what you intend to do when you get here as to what entitlements you will rely on in your new country. Another reason to do your homework and make sure you are well prepared is that laws are changing all the time and everyone’s case is different. So, you need to find out what the situation is for YOU and YOURS?
If you are unsure of what you are entitled to you should be able to find out the current situation regarding your families entitlements by contacting the address below in Newcastle.
If you want to know more about benefits and related healthcare cover write to:
Department for Work and Pensions
The Pension Service
International Pension Centre
Tyneview Park
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA or send an email to tvp.internationalqueries@thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk including
- your full name;
- your date of birth; and
- your National Insurance number (if you know it).
If you are phoning or sending a fax from outside the UK to The Pension Service, Tyneview Park:
please use the following numbers:
tel: +44 191 21 87777
fax: +44 191 21 83836
However this is only the current situation in the Alicante region of Spain and here is the link to the website which is aimed at keeping people informed of their rights in the new country they are going to make their home in
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Conditions governing the issuance of Health Insurance Cards
The Health Insurance Card is an individual and personalized document that accredits an individual’s right to receive public healthcare (along with the cardholder’s beneficiaries) regardless of their age.
There are a couple of possibilities:
- Citizens of European Union countries, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, who have residency in Spain, must use the Spanish Health Insurance Card.
- Citizens of European Union countries, the European Economic Area and Switzerland, who do not have residency in Spain, must use the European Health Insurance Card. This card is individual and certifies the holder’s right to receive any necessary healthcare from a medical point of view. This card is valid for four years and must be applied for in your country of origin.
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Healthcare Benefits
There are various different kinds of healthcare benefits available:
1.Primary Healthcare Service
- Assistance in doctor’s surgeries, services and health centres, as well as in the patient’s home. Basic tests and diagnostics ordered and performed.
- Health education activities: health exams, vaccinations and other programmed activities for the prevention of diseases, health promotion and rehabilitation.
- Parenteral treatments, cures and minor surgery.
- Women’s Healthcare: early care and monitoring of pregnancy; preparation for birth; visits during the first month after birth; early diagnoses of gynecological and breast cancer; complications of the menopause.
- Child Healthcare (under the age of 14): education and information for parents, guardians, educators and carers; vaccinations; check-ups.
- Healthcare for Adults and the Elderly: vaccinations and detection of risk factors; education and care of chronically ill patients; healthcare problems of the elderly; home care for paralyzed and terminally ill patients.
- Emergency Healthcare: for people of any age, provided 24 hours a day, in the patient’s health centre or home.
- Dental Care: education for dental hygiene and health; preventative measures for children (fluoridation, fillings and breakages); acute dental treatment, including extractions and preventative exploration for pregnant women.
- Other services: catheters and nasogastric tubes fitted and replaced; referral of patients to specialized healthcare by the primary care doctor; basic rehabilitation treatments on the advice of the doctor.
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Healthcare Benefits
2. Specialized Healthcare
Once the primary healthcare diagnostic and treatment possibilities are no longer sufficient, specialized healthcare and assistance will provide:
- Walk-in centers specializing in medical consultations, including minor surgical procedures.
- Walk-in centers in “day hospitals”, in cases that require continual medical and nursing care. Includes out-patient major surgery.
- In-patient specialized healthcare, which includes medical, surgical, obstetrics and pediatric assistant for acute episodes, acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses or carrying out any necessary treatments or diagnostic procedures.
- Mental and Psychiatric healthcare and assistance, which includes diagnosis and clinical monitoring, psychopharmacologic therapy, individual, group or family psychotherapy, and hospitalization.
- Emergency hospital care and services, provided 24 hours a day to non-hospitalized patients who require immediate hospital attention. It includes diagnosis, first aid and necessary treatment to deal with the emergency and assess the process.
- Other services, diagnoses and treatment of infertility; pre-natal diagnosis in risk groups; image diagnosis; family planning; radiology and radiotherapy; transplants.
- Access to specialized care can be gained via: walk-in health centers, primary care doctor’s referral; care provided during hospitalization; referral from the specialist doctor or emergency services, hospital services or referral from other specialized services.
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Living (but not working) in another EEA country
If you are going to live, but not work, in another EEA country, you may get healthcare cover from the UK (under the state scheme of the other country) for yourself, and for any members of your family who depend on you and who go with you. This cover will only be for a limited time and how long it lasts will depend on whether you could still get UK short-term Incapacity Benefit if you claimed it. When this period ends, the UK cannot give you any more healthcare cover unless anything in certain sections (please consult the website) applies to you.
Before you move abroad, contact the Department for Work and Pensions using any of the methods below and ask for a claim pack to be sent to you or even if you just want to know more about benefits and related healthcare cover .
Department for Work and Pensions
The Pension Service
International Pension Centre
Tyneview Park
Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE98 1BA
Make sure you include:
- your full name;
- your date of birth; and
- your National Insurance number (if you know it).
If you are phoning or sending a fax from outside the UK, dial the international code, then:
tel: +44 191 21 87777
fax: +44 191 21 83836
email: tvp.internationalqueries@thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk
When you get forms E106, register the forms by giving them to the authorities who run the sickness insurance scheme in the country where you live. If you have family members who cannot be issued with form E106 in their own right, they may be covered as members of your family on your own form E106, but this is a matter for the authorities in the country where you reside. Ask them if they can include your family members when your form E106 is registered.
Prior to visiting any other EEA country you will need to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK for your medical cover. When form E106 is issued to you, you will also be sent an EHIC Application Pack . Send the completed form to the PPA in the envelope provided.
Living and working in another EEA country
If you start work in the country where you live you should become insured for health care under that country’s sickness insurance scheme. The forms E106 and the EHIC issued by the UK will then no longer to apply to you.
If you do not meet the rules for form E106 yourself, and cannot be covered as a member of the family of someone who you depend on and live with, you may be able to pay voluntary contributions to the state sickness insurance scheme of the country you move to. This depends on the law of that country and if this is not possible you will have to take out private medical insurance. In most other EEA countries, you must prove that you have adequate healthcare cover before you will get a right of residence.
Holidaying or visiting another EEA country
If you are on holiday or you are visiting another EEA country for a short time, read booklet, “Health advice for travellers“, instead. You can get a copy from any UK Post Office, or further information is available from their website or from the DH Publications Orderline on 08701 555 455 or by emailing dh@prolog.uk.com.
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Payment & Consulting Hours
Doctors are normally paid for their efforts immediately following them although a few invoice at the end of a course of treatment or on a monthly basis. A consultation at the doctors practice will cost somewhere between 30 - 45 Euros, however I have heard of a local doctor charging 10 euros per consultation before prescription costs were added and this is depending upon which part of the country you may be in and which doctor you consult. If you ask him to make a home visit during the day you will be charged between 40 - 60 Euros and at night, between 40 - 90 Euros. You should ensure that you only become ill during the day!!
Surgery hours of doctors vary between public and private sector doctors and between themselves. Public sector doctors may work from 8 in the morning until 8 at night, often without a break. A doctor in the private sector may choose to work 4 or 5 hours in a day during hours which have been selected to best suit the requirements of his patients. Practice hours are prominently displayed in advertisements, surgeries and other places.
The system in Spain regarding doctors is probably quite different from anything you may have experienced before, unless you are a seasoned international traveller. Don't worry though because for all its trials and tribulations, medical standards are quite high and you should not feel concern in regard to available healthcare.
In Spain, all cities and large towns have at least one hospital or clinic. In most resort areas these are modern and equipped to international standards. Staff are highly trained to such a degree that a few years ago the UK Health Service concluded a deal with the Spanish authorities for the supply of trained nurses for British Hospitals.
If your interest lies in inland Spain, you should be aware that hospital facilities in some rural areas may be poor. In these areas, although the situation is slowly changing, there can still be long waiting lists and equipping of some hospitals leaves a little to be desired.
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Links and guides to help you
The Spanish Social Security Healthcare system provides the necessary medical and pharmaceutical services to maintain or re-establish an individual’s state of health BUT you do need a Health Insurance Card in order to gain access to this service.
Visit this large website for up to date information on health cover and SIP cards
Also have a look here for information on a new website for foreigners provided in your own language by the Provincial Council
If you are entitled to your health care you are able to, from the age of 45 have a mammogram for free, every two year. If you are not eligable for this there are charities that can arrange this for you.
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Information
Provincial Social Security Headquarters
C/ Churruca, 26 - 03003 Alicante
Tel: 965 90 31 00
Open from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Information Phoneline 00 34 900 16 65 65
website: www.seg-social.es
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is here to promote opportunity and independence for all, help individuals achieve their potential through employment and work to end poverty in all its forms.
website: www.dwp.gov.uk/
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Two years’ worth of social security payments made in another EU country before moving to Spain should also entitle you to some public health cover. Collect Form E106 from your home social security offices and present to those in Spain. EU pensioners and anyone receiving invalidity benefits should obtain Form E121 to present to those in Spain. You need to apply for this just before you leave the UK for Spain the office will advise how early you can apply.
website: www.fco.gov.uk/
Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Tel: 0845 915 4811
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"A common characteristic among everyone no matter what nationality you are is the concern you have for your health. Regardless of wealth, without good or reasonable levels of fitness, your quality of life can be seriously affected. It does not matter who you are, how old you are or where you are, we are all at risk of ill health"
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How can I apply for a Health Insurance Card?
You can apply for a Health Insurance Card at your health centre, by presenting the documents that acknowledges your right to receive healthcare. The health centre will issue you and each of your beneficiaries with an individual Health Insurance Card and send it to your home address. Documents needed are explained in the "are you covered" section.
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What must I do in order to have the right to receive health care?
Any European citizens who reside in Spain will have to go through previous procedures in their country of origin, or in the Spanish Social Security Provincial Headquarters, in order to obtain the document, which acknowledges your right to receive healthcare.
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Climate and Lifestyle
Beyond doubt is the fact that the climate and lifestyle in any country has a marked effect on mental health. People who live in warm, sunny climates are generally happier, more content and much more relaxed than those who live in cold, wet climates such as those which can be found in northern Europe. As you are reading this, you probably are more than aware of this fact.
I have spoken to many people who have been affected by the dark grey days that we suffer many of in the UK and it seems that many of these people are not affected here.
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Bonus
According to the world health organization because of the beautiful climate, the Costa Blanca has been voted as one of the healthiest climates in the world. It especially benefits people who suffer from breathing disorders like asthma and skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.
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Quality Health Care
Where and when it is good, the quality of Spanish health care and facilities available to patients probably equals anywhere in Europe and betters many. However, standards across the country vary considerably, with public medicine being scant in some more inland areas. A point to consider very carefully - if you have children or an on-going medical problem.
The Spanish are among the world's healthiest people and have an average life expectancy of 80 for women and 74 for men, the highest in the EU. The incidence of heart disease in Spain is among the lowest in the world, a fact attributed to the Spanish diet which includes considerable quantities of garlic, olive oil and red wine. Recently, this figure has started to rise and is believed to be as a result of the increasing popularity of "foods to go" such as hamburgers and other foods with high fat content. So the closer you can get to the “Spanish” lifestyle the better for your health
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No Particular Risks
When it comes to health in Spain, there are no particular diseases or risks and you don't require a series of vaccinations and innoculations before you take up residency.
If you are partial to a little drink you may need to exercise some form of self-control as a litre of whisky or vodka only costs between 5 & 11 euros - half the price of that in the UK.
The water in Spain is safe to drink in some areas and chlorinated one part per million. In some places, whilst safe, the taste is not always good, but you can drink it although you may prefer to buy bottled water, some of which is slightly more expensive, surprisingly enough, than beer in the same quantity!
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Before You Leave For Spain
If you are currently taking regular medication or undergoing a course of ongoing treatment you should ask your current doctor to provide "notes” which will consist of your condensed medical history. You can give this, or better still a copy, to the doctor you select following your arrival in Spain. If you have it translated into Spanish so much the better but if you can't arrange this, he certainly will be able to. In any event, if you don't speak Spanish you will probably prefer to find a doctor who speaks English so the need will probably not arise.
If you elect for private health insurance you can select any doctor and be seen at most times convenient to yourself. This obviates the necessity to register with any particular doctor, leaving you free to visit who you want and importantly, obtain a second opinion easily should you feel it necessary.
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Types of Hospitals
There are numerous categories of hospitals and clinics in Spain which include both public and private hospitals. These also include general hospitals, district hospitals, regional hospitals, provincial hospitals, local hospitals, military hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics, emergency clinics and day case hospitals.
Many Spanish public hospitals are run by the Red Cross and funded by private donations but some towns make contributions from their public funds. There are a considerable amount of private hospitals and clinics in the cities and resort areas, with many of these foreign owned and controlled.
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Not All Have Emergency and Accident Units
As with the UK, not all hospitals have an emergency department, relying instead on special hospitals with trauma teams being located in strategic areas to supply this service. The cost of an accident and emergency unit is such as to cause few, if any of the private hospitals to operate one.
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Language
In resort areas, up to 15 per cent of patients treated by public hospitals may be foreigners, many of whom have retired to Spain. Despite this fact, apart from hospital receptionists and one or two others, the vast majority of staff will not speak English. In recognizing this problem, in many areas expatriates have organized volunteers to interpret for their countrymen. Ask around in order that you get to know who and where they are.
In Spanish hospitals, whilst treatment seems to be excellent, administration and information are typically Spanish and probably cause patients more distress than their illnesses or subsequent medical treatments. If you are unable to speak Spanish, it is unlikely that any attempt will be made to supply you with information of any sort, including meal times, visiting hours and a host of other things which would make life a little more pleasant.
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Private
Perhaps you would like to consider being treated privately. The cost of a bed in a Spanish hospital is in the region of about £80 per day which is half or even less than that of the UK. Include Consultants fees and you can reckon on spending about £160 per day for the duration of your stay, although we have heard more recently - Feb 2007- of someone being charged 1,500 euros for a day in hospital with kidney stones. It could be even more if you are involved in some lengthy surgery which requires a long time in post-operative recovery.
The advantages of private treatment are universal but generally concern only convenience and not quality of medical or surgical treatment. Privately treated you will have your own room with telephone, television and radio and visiting hours to suit yourself and visitors. You can also decide when and where you will be treated and by whom.
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