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BrazilianGuy · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Chicago, IL

Would anyone be able to tell me where I can get cheap, basic health insurance here in the US or even in Spain that would offer coverage in Spain. Thanks,

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

You can try traveler's insurance. For example, USAA (website is usaa.com, I think) offers a basic package - I used it for six months when I first went abroad.
BUT you might have a problem in Spain!! If you are working/living technically illegally and have to make some claim, any insurance company may consider that a legitimate reason not to pay.

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

I could give a bit more info - you would likely have access to any needed emergency care whether you had insurance or not. The issue would again be that if you are in a country illegally, you are liable to be stuck with the bills afterwards.

BrazilianGuy · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Chicago, IL

Thanks for the input everyone. I looked into USAA, and it's my understanding that you need to be related to someone in the Army, Marines, etc, etc or something...I am not even an American citizen...In any event, thanks for the input. I appreciate it. I am looking into IMG and STA travel...they both seem to have good coverage for a reasonable price. If anyone has heard of them, please let me know. Thanks

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

Brazilian Guy,

Can I offer you some advice? Before you sign up and buy that traveler's insurance, call someone in customer support (at whichever company you're thinking of going with) and ask them if you'll be covered if _____________ happens.

For example, what if you break your arm and have to be taken to a hospital? OR, what if you come down with bad flu and need to see a doctor? Make sure you ask:
--What's covered?
--Which doctors/hospitals can I go to?
--How will my coverage be processed?
--Will I have to pay anything out of pocket when I go to the
doctor/hospital/clinic?

I'm suggesting you ask all these questions now (before buying) b/c I had to get traveler's insurance recently, and ended up having to use it, only to find out that there were ALL KINDS of restrictions I knew nothing about. BTW, I got my travler's insurance from an American insurance company (the bloodsuckers).

I'm not sure where you're headed in Spain, but one thing to keep in mind is that if you do need medical attention, there are several private clinics that offer a variety of services (GYN, gastro, dental work, internal medicine, etc.). Now, you have to pay out of pocket, but many will allow you to set up payment plans. Anway, the point is to have a "backup plan" just in case your travler's insurance doesn't work out.

One clinic that I've been to here in Madrid that is VERY GOOD is

Unidad Medica
Conde de Aranda, 1
28001 Madrid
Phone: 91-435 18 23

The doctors and support staff all speak Spanish and English, and though it's a private clinic and all services must be paid for, you can set up payment plans if necessary.

For more info about medical care and what's available to you (wherever you may be from), I'd suggest contacting your embassy here in Spain to find out what your options are.

Good luck!