Community

Hi

No dont worry i know most people on here are just offering their advice and opinions but it all helps to get people pointed in the right direction & to think about things you may not have considered. Hubby will go into great depth with it all as with most things but its just getting him kick started.

The health care is so important and ive read spanish health care is excellent... so as long as we are covered in some way im happy!

Thanks for all your help!

Phew! I hope hubby (Mr. Solera?) will come on board and educate us all when his research is complete!

By the way, which one is him in your avatar?

Hes the one in the pink!! Ive told him if hes going to go for a sexy pink he needs to shave his legs as its just not doing it for me!! he he

Hes one of these people that beavers away late at night whilst the kids and I are snoozing, hunting out info and then a couple of days later he will say by the way i found this out which will interest you..........................blah blah  (he always chooses to tell me when desperate housewives is on which gets on my nerves) 

This site has been fantastic!

Off topic now.... SORRY!!

Thanks again

Hi Janice

Just to let you know im in the process of sorting something out with that insurance company you reccomended. The prices seem very reasonable just need to ask them a few more questions and then will be sorted hopefully. Thanks again

While we're all on this subject I would appreciate some help too please.

I have read books and websites and am still totally confused about health care and pensions.

Some things mention getting benefits at 60 but the retirement age is 65.

We are hoping to move out before the end of this year, at which time my hubby will be 59. I am 5 years younger so a little while away from retirement yet.

Could anyone say definitively when we get  free health care...pensions etc?

Will we need private health care? 

I will probably run a small plant nursery when we move. Could I register that as a business? Pay NI?

Heeeeelp........... I am totally confused.

Laury

Confusingly, all these questions have been answered in the thread "Healthcare in UK" from February.  Scroll down and you will see the answers under that subject.  Janice (JeanSis) copied an article from the CB News (which I couldn't find online) and posted it there.  The thread swayed a little and went onto the Trevor Macdonald thread but most questions are answered on the first one.  Healthcare in Spain also deviates and mentions a few things you will need to know. 

You will see that Healthcare in the Valencia region is free when you become resident but other regions have different rules.  If the Dolores you are moving to is in the Vega Baja area of the Costa Blanca, you will be covered.  Again, however, it is advisable to take out private health care.  I have been quoted 230 euros a month for the two of us (both approaching 60) which is reasonable compared to UK prices and allows you to use private hospitals such as the San Jaime. The Costa Blanca has a SIP card system (not used in other regions) which you are given when you register with a GP.  This can either be a piece of paper lasting 6 months, a year or whatever the receptionist puts on it.  This is sometimes replaced with a laminated card which is valid for a year or for life depending what gets put down on the application form (confused?...you will be).  Each card entitles you to free health care on the Spanish National Health but is not accepted at private hospitals/doctors surgeries.  Your EHIC issued in UK is only valid for a maximum of 3 months for emergency treatment only and is designed for holiday makers.

Please read "Healthcare in UK" thread.

As I understand it, pensions are 65 for men and 60 for women.  The bit at 60 may be the pension credit system in UK where pension credits can be claimed at 60 but this is only if you live in UK.  Private pensions (not the state retirement ones) can be paid from age 60 or, since August last year, at age 55 but only a percentage of the full amount.  The government did change the female retirement pension to age 65 to match up with men but only if you were born after a certain date (not sure of the date but my wife will qualify at 60 and she was born in 1949),

Oh, and although I haven't had to use it (touch wood) on another site a poster has put that the Spanish Healthcare is absolutely excellent and he has had to use it quite a lot, the free one that is.  Make sure that, if you're moving on a permanent basis, you inform Newcastle about your move and get your E106/E121 sorted out before you move.  That will ensure your benefits are transferred to Spain.

This site explains about the E121

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/medical_07.asp

and this one explains about the E106

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/medical_06.asp

There are also pages on the site showing the procedures if you are working, self employed, widowed, claiming incapacity benefits etc. and it also gives the addresses you need to write to before you go.  Please note that, without the correct forms, you will not be entitled to free non-emergency treatment in Spain.  Once the forms are done, you will be entitled to the same health benefits as a Spanish citizen.  (in certain areas, yes I do know other areas have their own rules but you should be entitled to health care anywhere in the EU or EEA under these rules....I guess it's all down to interpretation)>

I doubt any health insurance would cover you for a pre-existing condition.  I assume you will be on a medication such as Thyroxine.  If so, take as much with you as your UK GP will allow (they should only give you a months worth but some will give 2 months if you are going away and, if you give your doctor the sob story, they may give you up to 3 months).  Keep your repeat medication slip and show it to your new GP in Spain, preferably get it translated into its generic (not brand) name as names will vary country by country.  You can buy the medication over the counter (just show your repeat slip to the pharmacist) but it is expensive.  By registering with a GP and getting a Spanish prescription, you can get up to a 90% reduction on the costs depending on the problem.  (I think I posted elsewhere about the costs but I can't find the search facility on this new improved EOS format). 

Also note that there is no National Dental Service in Spain and all treatment is private.  Some dentists run a dental plan (similar to insurance) so check with a dentist when you get out there. 

This site may also be of interest even though it is slightly out of date (E111 has been replaced by EHIC)

http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=88&story_id=1891#health%20insurance

Hi Laury

Although not as severely affected by the condition as you are, I buy thyroxine over the counter here and it's €2.70 for 50 tablets of 100mcg. I have been asked once or twice if I have a prescription but have never been required to produce one. I just have a six-monthly blood test to keep an eye out for any deterioration.

Rose

So, to put the costs into context, if you're on 200mcg a day, the €2.70 Rose1 mentions is a months supply.  Even at 500mcg that's only €8.10 a month which is about the cost of a UK prescription.  My son in law has asthma and pays £6.95 a script in UK for his inhalers.  In Spain, he buys them over the counter at €5 each (£3.50 ish).  The pharmacy will give him 2 at a time and asks if he has a prescription but, as Rose1 says, he's never been asked to produce it, just shows the old inhaler.  He buys 6 when he's here which is about 6 months worth for him and saves him over half buying it over the counter than on a UK script (unless you live in Wales, of course).  Perhaps we should have posted this on the happy news thread?  Other medication is also cheaper here, like Aspirin and Immodium, than it is in UK.  Except for sun cream, of course, but you have to take out a second mortgage to buy that in UK nowadays anyway.

Anyone for Viagra??  (not you, of course, Rose1)

I do remember someone posting that they paid a lot for some type of medication in Spain (but I can't remember what it was) and they got a 75% reduction on prescription which goes up to 90% rebate when you are 65.

Hi Rose. Thanks for the input.

That doesn't sound too expensive to buy over the counter then. Of course all my prescriptions are free in the U.K. because of my condition so the £6-£7 a month costs doesn't apply.

I already have the little E111 replacement plastic card in my purse for whenever we visit. Presumably I will just need to go a step further when we move out.

So... just to clarify babaol.   The Vega Baja region is part of the Valencian community who do a voluntary reciprocal arrangement with the UK NHS?

Ta

Laury

lauryc,

I've posted some messages on this thread previously about heathcare options when moving to Spain. You may find them useful?

Yes thanks Miket  I did read them all, but  they were mostly aimed at young healthy families.

Neither of which applies to me.

Cheers

Laury

Thanks Rosi. Sorry about your hubby.

I am not ill as such but my history doesn't really help with private insurance costs.

We have about 6 years before retirement age for my hubby and the same for me........... I think.........  not sure now with all the government meddling with ages.  

The reciprocal will help us a lot and I am so pleased we  chose to live where we did.  Although a lady on TV said that Murcia may be doing so soon too.

Laury

Me and the wife will be moving to calasparra Murcia early june. I am 47 and the wife is 40. We will not be working as we are retired. I have heard that Murcia region could be soon giving free health care to its residents reguardless of age but that isnt yet and could be some time off. I have paid N Insurance all my working life up until three months ago and the wife has not paid any. Can anyone advise us as the best way for us both to be covered for health care in our situation be it private or otherwise. What is SIP would it be good in our situation. If we become resident in spain we will loose our right to healthcare in the the UK and not get healthcare in SPAIN either which seems unfair. This is important to get it right but is a little confusing. I know it all depends on peoples situations but based on the above what is the best for ours. Many thanks for your comments, experiences, and expertize.

Neville linda and the cats

Dear Neville and Linda,

I've copied in a reply that I left earlier on this thread about entitlement to healthcare in Spain that may be of some relevance to you? I've highlighted the points that appear relevant to your situation?

********************************************

When you move to Spain and become a fully registered resident you and your family will fall into different categories depending on whether you are working or not? I'm presuming that you will be both under 65 when you emigrate?

Let say your husband starts work as an employed person: His tax and ni contributions paid from his salary should cover him for the cost of his healthcare as it would in the UK and he would be treated like any Spanish citizen.

If you decide not to work then you should also be exempt from paying NI contributions as long has you have been making NI contibutions for 3 full years into the UK National Insurance system prior to the year you move to Spain. 

Any child under 18 in full time education or not registered for work should also qualify for free healthcare.

Approx 4 weeks before leaving the UK to live in SPAIN YOU MUST CONTACT the Overseas Division for Medical Benefits Tel: 0191 218 1999. They will check your NI records to confirm your status for receiving a E106 certificate(they will send you 2 copies) that you can hand over to the medical authorities when you arrive in Spain. The Spanish equivalent of the DSS will then be able to use this certificate to reclaim the cost of providing you with free medical treatment from the UK authorities.

Incidently, if only you or your partner has paid into the Uk NI system for the prior 3 years and neither of you are initially working in Spain then you would both qualify for free public healthcare. The DSS system in the UK allows for one partner to be DEPENDANT on the other!  BUT again you must apply for this status prior to leaving the UK.

Finally! Once you have declared that you will be resident in Spain you will no longer Qualify for Free Medical Treatment in the UK unless you are a visitor requiring Emergency treatments!! Should you move back to the Uk on a permanent basis then you have to apply to be readmitted into the UK system!

You can also call the Dept of Health on 0113 254 6334 who should advise you of what medical treatments you may receive free of charge in Spain?

Hope it was of some help?

Mike T