Health & Medical Insurance
Registering and making monthly Social Security contributions is essential in terms of public health care cover. Spain's public health scheme offers subsidised medical treatment, however it does not provide the same level of free care as the British NHS.
What is provided is excellent and by making Social Security contributions you will be entitled to the same level of cover as a Spanish National. There are three types of medical facilities in Spain: public on the social security scheme; private which is direct pay or covered by personal medical insurance and "concertado" which are private run, however, since they receive state subsidies they do accept patients with referrals from public health.
Spanish health cover emphasises cure, not prevention. General and specific medical care, hospitalisation, laboratory services, discounted prescriptions, basic dental care, maternity care, appliances and transfers are provided. Services such as general medical check-ups, vaccinations for children, outpatient, geriatric, psychiatric, post-operative and terminal care are of limited provision.
Social Security covers the cost of treatments received under the public health scheme. Medications are partially subsidised. (See Chemists on page 151). If over 65, you may be eligible for free benefits.
UK residents are entitled to emergency health treatment whilst on short-term visits to Spain; provided they can produce a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) each time they seek treatment from a Spanish National Health hospital or doctor.
The EHIC replaced the E-111 as of January 2006 and is issued on an individual basis. Previously you could cover your whole family with the one form, now you need to apply for a separate card for each family member.
The EHIC can be obtained online at the website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or by calling (from outside the UK) +44 (0) 191 203 5555. The EHIC is issued free of charge and is accepted by national health providers only. In the unfortunate situation of repatriation due to illness, the patient must pay their own costs. Many people choose to have private policies to cover such costs and to have a wider choice of clinics or doctors.
95% of the Spanish population is covered by the Instituto Nacional de la Salud (INSALUD - Spain's public health scheme.) If you are a EU National and have contributed to your home Social Security scheme for two years prior to your arrival in Spain, you may receive public health cover in Spain, for a limited period, dating from your last payment at home.
To qualify for this exemption, you need to present Form E-106 (available at your local Social Security branch) to the provincial office of the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social. Pensioners or those on invalidity benefits need to present Form E-121.
Once registered to pay Social Security, you will be a member of INSALUD. They will provide you with a social security card (tarjeta), a list of local doctors and hospitals, general information on services and will assign you a local doctor.
For more information on Social Security, contact the
instituto nacional de la seguridad social
to sign on & get information, Tel: 901 502 050
information about pensions, Tel: 900 166 565
www.seg-social.es (available in English)
Local Social Security Administration Offices
álora
Plaza Médico Zamudio 1
Tel: 952 496 121
campillos
C/ Santa María del Reposo 2
Tel: 952 722 096
coín
Plaza General Aranda 22
Tel: 952 450 191
estepona
Avda. Andalucía 46
Tel: 952 802 373
fuengirola
C/ Doctor García Verdugo s/n
Tel: 952 581 303
marbella
Plaza Leganitos 5
Tel: 952 771 599
Doctors
Health care is excellent throughout Spain, but English - speaking doctors become difficult to find the more rural you go. Many embassies and consulates keep a list of English speaking doctors in Spain, and tourist offices may do the same.
Dentists
There are many English speaking dentists on the Costa del Sol and it is usually necessary to make an appointment before a visit. Note that only extractions and emergency treatment after an accident are available free under the Spanish public health service.
Hospitals
The main hospital in this area is the Hospital Costa del Sol, just east of Marbella and well sign-posted from the N-340 / A7 coastal road. The hospital has a good reputation for service and care, and there is English-speaking staff there.
Tel: 951 976 669
www.hcs.es
Smaller health clinics can be found in main towns along the coast.
Hospital Clínico Universitario
The main hospital in Málaga for adults is the Hospital Clínico Universitario de Málaga which is located near the University on the Campillos Road.
Tel: 951 032 000
Maternal Hospital
Children up to the age of 14 must go to the Maternal Hospital, "Materno Infantil" in the Carlos Haya complex. There is also an adult hospital at Carlos Haya. Arroyo de los Angeles s/n.
Tel: 951 290 000
www.carloshaya.net
in the case of a medical emergency
If for any reason you need to use your own vehicle to get to a hospital in an emergency, hang a WHITE towel, shirt or other article out of the window of your vehicle. Switch on your head lights. The police recognise the white item as an emergency situation and will give you assistance.
Private Medical Insurance
A La Carte Health Care
Also offered are annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance & international medical insurance
Tel: 952 931 609
sue.wilson@alchealth.com
www.alchealth.com / www.alctravel.eu (use SPA189)
BUPA spain
Bupa's Spanish division, Sanitas offers a high quality of health care options. The pricing depends upon age and gender. The lower the annual premium, the higher the co-pay. The "basic" is the least expensive plan but does not include hospitalisation - the "classic" plan does.
BUPA, call Jerry Williams on 952 491 115
Sanitas, call Susan Warner on 952 815 446 / 615 655 348
info@sanitashealthplan.com
www.sanitashealthplan.com
expatriate insurance services
info@expatriate-insurance.com
www.expatriate-insurance.com
FIATC seguros
Open weekdays 09:00 - 14:00, English & German spoken
Tel: 952 227 595 / 902 182 182 (24 hour service for clients)
www.fiatc.es
mapfre
Tel: 902 204 060 (press option 2)
Fax: 915 814 681
www.mapfre.com
chase templeton
mon - fri - 9:00 - 17:00
Tel: +44 (0) 8707 700 946
www.chasetempleton.co.uk
winterthur
Insurance for family units of more than three.
Tel: 902 303 012 (press option 2, then option 3)
winterthur@winterthur.es
www.winterthur.es
Senior Citizens
There are many social programs available to the elderly in Andalusia. The Regional Ministry for Equality and Social Welfare of the Andalusian Regional Government (Junta de Andalucía) has a web page in English: www.juntadeandalucia.es/fundaciondeserviciossociales on which it details a multitude of programs available to seniors (in Spanish listed under Personas Mayores.)
Services include: home care, free pharmacy home delivery and telephone medical care, reduced rates on electricity and other municipal bills as well as discounted glasses and hearing aids and reduced travel costs. Enjoy multiple discounts in: hotels, cinemas, sporting events, monuments, theme parks.
Get information in the Andalusian Regional Government Day Centre closest to your home. To take advantage of these services and discounts you must apply for an Andalucía Junta sesentaycinco card.
If you are over the age of 65 and live in any municipality of Andalusia you can apply for the sesentaycinco card. It's free, renewable and valid for 5 years. There are two types of the "65 card" the regular green card for those over 65 and a gold card for seniors with a personal income that does not exceed 75% of the minimum wage. (5,030€ approximately) The gold card has higher benefits.
If you have questions call the Andalusian Social Services Foundation Tel: 900 200 165
telephone assistance for seniors
The Andalusian System of Telephone Assistance is available to those over 65 with a sesentaycinco card or with disabilities. An emergency button is placed in the home that connects to a central emergency hotline. Price fluctuates from free - 10€ monthly.
Tel: 902 506 565
real patronato sobre discapacidad
The Royal Board on Disability is a public institution of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, they can provide you with local contact numbers for assistance.
Tel: 917 452 453
assistance for the blind
The Spanish National Organisation for the Blind (ONCE, Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles) helps to provide specialised services that allow the blind and visually impaired to have personal autonomy and to achieve personal and social integration.
In Spain, visually impaired individuals sell ONCE lottery tickets as a means to earn a living. ONCE is an inspirational organisation that has helped many individuals to lead fuller lives. The web page has links to many major sites that deal with different disabilities.
Tel: 915 773 756
www.once.es