InsureExpats.eu

During September of 2009 important changes were implemented for foreigners resident in Spain. It is therefore important to understand the effects these changes have had on us all.

Spains public health system offers health care free or  at a low cost so long as you are either paying social security here or are in receipt of a UK state pension.

However, as with many other countries the public health service has waiting lists to see specialists and for non-urgent operations.

How the system will work for you

As a contribution based economy Spain will provide free medical treatment to British nationals whilst on holiday. However when you take up residence you have to pay the Spanish National Insurance, currently €260 per month.

As Spain is part of the EU you are entitled to free care if you receive a British pension.

Please note that as from September 2009, any foreigner who is not in one of the above mentioned categories will not receive free medical assistance.

Getting tougher on who can use their health system

It was recently reported that because Spain cannot afford to look after it’s own people under the system, they have decided to stop all treatment to foreigners. If you don’t contribute, you don’t get the benefits.

The E111 is ONLY for use whilst on holiday and new systems in operation from September will ensure that this is the case! The EHIC/E111 allows reciprocal emergency health care during temporary visits to other EU countries. Strictly speaking it is not a permanent entitlement nor a full entitlement to all treatments available under each nations state health care systems.

Why have private health insurance Spain?

If you do not qualify for public health care then it is essential that you have private health insurance. No insurance will mean no treatment. Everyone hopes they will never need to use any kind of health professional, however accidents and emergencies do happen. For that reason alone, not to mention pure peace of mind, it’s worth investigating your options.

Even if you are under the public health care system it is still advisable to have private health insurance as well in order to skip the waiting lists and receive treatment quickly, when needed.

For more information about health insurance click here.

According to the head of the Department for Health, statistics recently released show that the Malaga region are lagging behind when it comes to medical waiting lists. So unless you’re an emergency, be prepared!

For operations whose maximum waiting time is 120 days – Malaga’s waiting time is 54 days, and the Andalusian average is 50 days.

For first appointments to see a specialist – Malaga’s waiting time is 50 days, and the Andalusian average is 48 days. At the end of 2009 that equated to a massive 41,588 patients who were still waiting to see a specialist.

For diagnostic tests – Malaga’s waiting time is around 23 days, similar to that of the Andalusian average.

What’s the official word

The Department of Health says that they’re addressing the waiting list issues and have already instigated the afternoon opening hours for operating theatres.

They say that they’re also investigating the increase in demand shown in recent years. One theory is that the population in the area is growing quicker than they are able to cope with. Another theory is that the population is becoming predominantly older.

This second theory may in fact prove to be correct as it seems that the majority of operations are for age related problems, such as the removal of cataracts and bunions.

Are there ways around the problem?

The answer to that one is yes. You can’t jump the queues within the national health service but you can go privately which would cut waiting times.

I know it all means extra money to pay out monthly for private health care, or pay a lump sum to the private hospitals, but if you don’t have your health – what do you have?

By the way, if you’re one of the unfortunate people waiting on one of these lists, you can check what position you’re at. Go to the official Andalusian Health Service website which is www.juntadeandalucia.es/salud

New Product CASER HEALTH MEDICAL

Caser Seguros have just launched a brand new private health care product that offers great cover at very competitive premiums. It is aimed at  those clients, who use the health insurance mainly for first medical opinion and the opinion of a specialist.

Health Medical is a health insurance which includes ambulatory medical care with a very lower premium.

The main covers of Caser Health Medical are:

• The same list of Doctors as Caser Health
• Emergencies, ambulance and home assistance if required
• Complementary oral and dental coverage and free Child Dental Plan included
• Medical assistance abroad to €1500
• Infant Psycology and Clinical Psycology. 20 free sessions per year
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Family planning treatment.
• Podiatry. 6 free sessions per year
• Benefits of complimentry services. Surgical correction of shortsightedness, longsightedness and astigmatism, and up to €300 discount in conservation of cord blood
• 24 hour, 365 days medical hotline
• Second medical opinion

To find out more click here!

Great guest article by Pablo Guerrero Santibañez, Expatriate Business Director, Caser Seguros.

We do not plan illness

You never know when you might need health insurance but having it already makes you feel better. If you are an expat living in Spain you should know what health options you have so when you need to use them you know where to go.

Basically in Spain you have two health coverage options: one is the National Health System, called Seguridad Social in Spanish and the other is the private health insurance.

Access to the Spanish health system

Unlike other countries, the right for all citizens to enjoy health protection and care is given by law in article 43 of the Spanish Constitution of 1978. Access to the public health services is available upon presenting the Personal Health Card which is issued by the respective Health Department and gives you national coverage. The National Health System is financed from general tax revenue; all citizens pay taxes depending on their financial capacity and receive health services when they need them.

The services offered by the Spanish National Health System include almost universal coverage: preventive care, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, rehabilitation and health promotion and maintenance.

Why private health insurance in Spain

So, why should you contract private insurance if Spain is considered to have one of the best public health systems?

In the past years, private insurance has become more popular. Lately, people of all ages tend to be more concerned with their health and personal image, adding it to the fact that we don’t want to wait for things anymore if we have more than one option. These are just a few reasons of why people prefer to contract private health insurance, specially the last one.

Private insurance offers you quickness versus sometimes a too long of a waiting list in the public system. It’s simple: in Spain there are over 45 million people entitled to use the public system. Instead, only 9 million people have private insurance in Spain.

The right cover

Due that there are many insurance companies in the Spanish market that offer health products, it is possible to find the product that fits your needs. But at the same time, you can’t forget or think that all products are alike.

There are three types of private insurance products: a) health care coverage given by the specialists linked to the insurance company (what in Spain is called Asistencia Sanitaria de Cuadro Médico), b) health care given by specialists linked to the insurance company plus the reimbursement option so you can go to the doctor you desire if he doesn’t work with the insurance company you contract the policy (what in Spain is called Reembolso) c) and last, the subsidized policies meant specially for self-employed that rather receive a compensation if they can’t work.

The most popular and accessible is option A followed by B. But as said before, you have to take a close look at each product and company because some will have more or less limitations in terms of health coverage and especially on presence throughout Spain. Option A offers you a great wide range of covers. It includes the basic healthcare services that anyone could need at good rates on an average premium of 40 to 60 euros a month depending on your age.

So if you are one of those people that don’t want to wait when they need to go to the doctor you should look into private insurance.

Good advice

It’s important to compare but more importantly to compare with the advice of an expert in insurance. Don’t forget you are in a foreign country and some things might just work differently. Don’t they say: Spain is different.

Some companies will offer you a great premium but remember that good things are never cheap and cheap things are never good. And in this case we are talking about your health. Pay good attention to the number of clients that already trusted the company you decide to go with. Also the number of specialists, doctors that has under its “Cuadro Médico”, what position it’s ranked in the Spanish market, is it just a local company that could go bankrupt tomorrow?

Don’t worry there are plenty of good companies in Spain but size and experience are key facts in this field in order for a company to keep improving in facilities and coverage.

Do yourself a favour and go and ask for a quote to several agents of different companies, compare their offers and then decide which product and company fits you best and then try the difference of having private insurance…unless you have lots of time and don’t mind waiting for a simple doctor’s appointment.

According to the head of the Department for Health, statistics recently released show that the Malaga region are lagging behind when it comes to medical waiting lists. So unless you’re an emergency, be prepared!

For operations whose maximum waiting time is 120 days – Malaga’s waiting time is 54 days, and the Andalusian average is 50 days.

For first appointments to see a specialist – Malaga’s waiting time is 50 days, and the Andalusian average is 48 days. At the end of 2009 that equated to a massive 41,588 patients who were still waiting to see a specialist.

For diagnostic tests – Malaga’s waiting time is around 23 days, similar to that of the Andalusian average.

What’s the official word

The Department of Health says that they’re addressing the waiting list issues and have already instigated the afternoon opening hours for operating theatres.

They say that they’re also investigating the increase in demand shown in recent years. One theory is that the population in the area is growing quicker than they are able to cope with. Another theory is that the population is becoming predominantly older.

This second theory may in fact prove to be correct as it seems that the majority of operations are for age related problems, such as the removal of cataracts and bunions.

Are there ways around the problem?

The answer to that one is yes. You can’t jump the queues within the national health service but you can go privately which would cut waiting times.

I know it all means extra money to pay out monthly for private health care, or pay a lump sum to the private hospitals, but if you don’t have your health – what do you have?

By the way, if you’re one of the unfortunate people waiting on one of these lists, you can check what position you’re at. Go to the official Andalusian Health Service website which is www.juntadeandalucia.es/salud