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wildnfree · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 134

Hi
I was wondering what everyone does when they need medical attention here..is the norm to get health insurance or just luck it out?

As for myself, I am entitled to free medical attention in Spain (as I'm a citizen of an EU member) based on a health card - which I do not have and is apparently issued by the country of origin..that is a spanner in the works for me, as I'm a European based solely on heritage (Italian) and have no idea where or how to get that particular card !

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

What's wrong with that poor girl you're using as your avatar? She appears to need some medical attention! Hope you're able to get a card for her soon Very Happy

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

It's my understanding that simply being an EU citizen doesn't entitle you to free health care if you reside in Spain. Either your employer pays a monthly contribution to the Social Security or if you're self-employed you pay it yourself, as I do.
I thought that the cards mentioned by the OP were only for tourists or business visitors. Even EU tourists are, however, expected to take out travel insurance.
I've heard that ''lucking it out'' as the OP calls it, is risky. In the case of accident or illness you would be treated but possbly billed.
I'd be interested to hear the comments of the others on this topic

craftynick · Joined: 18 Jul 2006 Posts: 65 Location: Sunny Barca

as an EU citizen you are entitled to free health care, however you need to get registered at the local town hall who will allocate you a doctor and a medical card.

You can also see a doctor as an emergency without being registered but its a lot more difficult & you may not be able to get paperwork to cover for sickness

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

I looked around and I found a fairly cheap policy that would cover a tourist for up to a year for a few thousand in medical expenses and also cover the cost of medical evacuation to the states.

I never used it, I only had it to cover a train wreck or something. I did go to a doctor in France once and he treated me for a ridiculously (by US prices) low sum, but they slammed me on the antibiotic at the pharmacy.

While I was teaching in Moscow the school had basic health insurance, but I had to shell out 20 bucks for a flu shot.

I think if you are cutting it too close to the bone to afford incidental medical care then you should not go for a number of reasons. Budget an average of $25 a month and get some catastrophic medical evacuation coverage. That's my advice.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

And that's not even considering what you would do if a molar goes south on you (God forbid) in the middle of the night on a weekend.

Come to think of it, anyone about to go off to exotic lands or even Spain should get his teeth checked and in good repair first. (God bless the American Dental Center in Moscow)

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

wildnfree · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 134

Update

After talking to the information centre and my own embassy, I have it on good authority that Europeans here in Spain are eligible for free health care (public health, and not including medicine).

orangiey · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 217 Location: UK

I am fom the UK and had my daughter here in Madrid by C-section!
I also had all my pre-birth checks here..all FREE
How? I went to the town hall in my area, got a certificate from them which stated I lived here and took this to my local medical centre. All I showed at the town hall was my passport and rental contract.
EASY