Healthcare Pensioners to pay for prescriptions

Interesting proposal in Spanish papers today that all "spanish" pensioners should pay 10% towards the cost of their prescriptions I assume this will also apply to ex pats who are registered on the Spanish health system.

Also there will be no "health tourists" whether this will mean that holders of an EHIC will have to pay something towards their healthcare or not is a little vague

See link below from El Pais in English

http://elpais.com/elpais/2012/04/18/inenglish/1334773062_431794.html

Yes, this was touted a few weeks back and it has finally come out that it is actually happening.

And I would assume the same applies to expats here too.

I think what they mean by health tourists is those that come over specifically to use the medical facilities in Spain and not the retired expats that actually live here.

If you use an EHIc card you pay for prescriptions at the farmácia anyway &claim it back from the nhs.

Last year I went to register at our local health centre and the receptionist told me to return when I reached 65.  I have now reached that date so when I register (I am not a spanish resident and intend spending less than 183 days here) will the EHC  no longer be required?  I assume I will have to pay for prescriptions.

Any help would be great.

Geoff

Geoff and Pat...

Sticky situation that ...and complicated...according to the NHS if you spend more than one month away from your UK residence you should de-register from your UK Doctors...

As a pensioner receiving a UK State Pension you can ask the Pensions people in Newcastle to issue a Form S1.

(Overseas Healthcare Team (Newcastle) +44 191 218 1999)

This form entitles you to reciprocal health care in Spain. When completed you should present this form to to your local INSS office in Spain, however once you are registered for health care here you are excluded from the NHS in the UK. The other forms you have to present to the INSS office include the Certificado de Residencia / NIE no. and Padron registration. And therein lies the rub...

The Certificado de Residencia also implies full time residence in Spain... so no access to UK NHS treatment when you are in the UK.

For someone spending more than a month but less than 183 days in Spain, whilst retaining a UK address, the best solution is simply 'keep shtum'... use your EHIC Cards if you need to whilst over here and for pete's sake make sure they are valid during the period of your visits...

Spain no longer issues EHIC cards to non-Spanish residents; If you do go ahead and register in Spain you can use your UK issued EHIC card to gain temporary access to the NHS...

And yes you will have to pay for any prescriptions...

Hope this helps a little.

Foxbat

There is only one thing I would question in your post.

It's 3 months (90 days) away from a UK address, not one month.

Apart from that, this is, as we know, a catch 22 situation and the only way around it is to use private health insurance (with all of its strict rules on previous conditions).

I remember reading somewhere that it was under discussion that changes may be made for pensioners who spend more than 90 consecutive days but less than 183 days in an EU country, so that they do not miss out on NHS health care in the UK, but can't remember where I read it.

Maybe someone knows?

Good Afternoon....!

Hi

Hi Foxbat & Summer70, thanks for the info.  We don't exceed 90 days here at a time as our holiday insurance only covers up to 90 days, multuitrip.  I believe, as I pay IBI and non residents tax, I should be able to access the free spanish national health and not need to use the EHC.  Is this correct or not?  I will go and register in our village one day next week and see what happens. 

Oh, I have checked my EHC and it's valid untill 2016 but it's a good point foxbat. 

Geoff

Sorry but you can't register on the Spanish NHS for free treatment.  You will still be covered by the UK NHS system as you will not have been transferred.  You can use the EHIC for emergency treatment only regardless of paying IBI and non-resident taxes.  The emergency treatment will be free but any prescription issued by a hospital doctor may incur a charge.  

You can, however, register in some places on a temporary or provisional card which needs to be updated every six months.  This will give you access to the GP but will not give you free prescriptions, although you will get a discount of (currently) up to 60% of the cost.  These cards are available once you have signed on the Padron (electoral register) and can be updated a maximum of 4 times.

The only way to get permanent access free of charge is to register as a permanent resident (register of EU nationals) and get an S1 form from the DWP which transfers your medical care to Spain.

If you have to pay towards a prescription, keep the receipt as you may be able to claim back the costs from the nHS back in the UK.

Be aware that new rules are being put forward to the Spanish parliament to limit access to NHS services for those not living in Spain on a permanent basis and the provisional cards may be withdrawn along with introducing payments for pensioners prescriptions.