Healthcare

[Gommar Goffer]

I have a question that some residents may be able to answer (many may not wish to!).

At some point in the near future I plan to move to PP but in the UK I receive prescription drugs for high blood pressure and cholesterol and also have to undergo post cancer checks (not nice ones!) ans scans and also diabetes (type 2) check ups and blood tests. Are all of these easy to transfer/set up over there and at what cost?

 

[Pina]

I have a question that some residents may be able to answer (many may not wish to!).

At some point in the near future I plan to move to PP but in the UK I receive prescription drugs for high blood pressure and cholesterol and also have to undergo post cancer checks (not nice ones!) ans scans and also diabetes (type 2) check ups and blood tests. Are all of these easy to transfer/set up over there and at what cost?

I would be very interested in any responses to Gommar Goffers's questions as I am in a similar position.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

I would be very interested in any responses to Gommar Goffers's questions as I am in a similar position.

Pina - It would appear that we are the only unhealthy ones!!

 

[Sparky]

Blood pressure medication is easy to buy over the counter in the pharmacy and it's cheaper than prescription charges in England, it might not always be the same as what you are taking but will have the same effect.

 

[Tommo]

I have a question that some residents may be able to answer (many may not wish to!).

At some point in the near future I plan to move to PP but in the UK I receive prescription drugs for high blood pressure and cholesterol and also have to undergo post cancer checks (not nice ones!) ans scans and also diabetes (type 2) check ups and blood tests. Are all of these easy to transfer/set up over there and at what cost?

Hi GG. We were thinking of going to PP for an extended period, maybe renting for 12 months. However, like you I too have health problems and take several prescription medicines and have regular blood tests. As I am of a certain age I qualify for free prescriptons. So I wonder where I stand re medicines because if I had to pay for them Id need a second mortgage.
Anyone have any thoughts on this please? Also will the dreaded Brexit debate affect the situation?

 

[Deanscroft]

Do you qualify for treatment on the National Health Service in Spain? To qualify you need to work here and pay the Spanish version of NI or you need to be in receipt of your state old age persion. If you do qualify, once you have registered with the health Service in Inca and signed on with a local doctor, you can then get your medication on the National Health for which you pay approx 10% on the full cost. If you don't qualify then I'm afraid it means private medical insurance and paying the full cost of the meds but as Sparky says allot of meds here are cheaper than the prescription charge in the uk.

 

[Tommo]

Do you qualify for treatment on the National Health Service in Spain? To qualify you need to work here and pay the Spanish version of NI or you need to be in receipt of your state old age persion. If you do qualify, once you have registered with the health Service in Inca and signed on with a local doctor, you can then get your medication on the National Health for which you pay approx 10% on the full cost. If you don't qualify then I'm afraid it means private medical insurance and paying the full cost of the meds but as Sparky says allot of meds here are cheaper than the prescription charge in the uk.

Thanks for that Deanscroft. That clears things up.
Ed. Tommo.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

Do you qualify for treatment on the National Health Service in Spain? To qualify you need to work here and pay the Spanish version of NI or you need to be in receipt of your state old age persion. If you do qualify, once you have registered with the health Service in Inca and signed on with a local doctor, you can then get your medication on the National Health for which you pay approx 10% on the full cost. If you don't qualify then I'm afraid it means private medical insurance and paying the full cost of the meds but as Sparky says allot of meds here are cheaper than the prescription charge in the uk.

Thanks Deanscroft. I am not of pensionable age yet and would hopefully work and thus pay NI. I would hope that the lifestyle may well mean I do not need some of the meds in the future. I guess the main query would be regarding cancer screening i.e. CT scans and other proceedures

 

[ChrisW]

The private hospital in Muro:

https://www.medigo.com/en-gb/clinic/spain/mallorca/muro-general-hospital-561e22dce4737

Does blood tests very efficiently and quite cheaply.

I walked in and got an INR done, it cost €12.80 and they e-mailed me the result within 90 mins.

Chris

 

[Deanscroft]

Anyone below state pension age thinking of coming out here to work and join the state system should be aware that it works very differently here. Firstly, the National Insurance contribution is a flat sum not a percentage. Last time I looked it was 260€ per month. If you are planning to be an employee then this is what you will pay, however this does cover everyone in your family living at the same address (providing they are not also working). If you plan to be self-employed it gets more complicated as you can't just choose what you want to do and get on with it. You have to register as self-employed and register what it is you intend to work as. If this is a skilled trade or profession you will need to provide evidence what you are qualified to undertake the work. There then comes the question of whether your UK qualification is accepted here. If not you will have to qualify here (in Spanish!!). Having done all that you can now start work, not forgetting to submit your tax returns and VAT invoices (vat is paid on every cent. There is no tax free allowance). As self-employed you will pay the same NI contribution (260€ pm) as an employee but I believe there are discounts in the first years after start-up.
If this all sounds very complicated and very expensive it is probably because it is and is also why there is such a large black economy here. You may feel that it is far easier and cheaper to buy private healthcare insurance and work 'cash in hand', millions of people do. I know that sounds alien to us law abiding Brits but in Spain it is a way of life which appears to go largly unchallenged.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

Anyone below state pension age thinking of coming out here to work and join the state system should be aware that it works very differently here. Firstly, the National Insurance contribution is a flat sum not a percentage. Last time I looked it was 260€ per month. If you are planning to be an employee then this is what you will pay, however this does cover everyone in your family living at the same address (providing they are not also working). If you plan to be self-employed it gets more complicated as you can't just choose what you want to do and get on with it. You have to register as self-employed and register what it is you intend to work as. If this is a skilled trade or profession you will need to provide evidence what you are qualified to undertake the work. There then comes the question of whether your UK qualification is accepted here. If not you will have to qualify here (in Spanish!!). Having done all that you can now start work, not forgetting to submit your tax returns and VAT invoices (vat is paid on every cent. There is no tax free allowance). As self-employed you will pay the same NI contribution (260€ pm) as an employee but I believe there are discounts in the first years after start-up.
If this all sounds very complicated and very expensive it is probably because it is and is also why there is such a large black economy here. You may feel that it is far easier and cheaper to buy private healthcare insurance and work 'cash in hand', millions of people do. I know that sounds alien to us law abiding Brits but in Spain it is a way of life which appears to go largly unchallenged.

Thanks Deanscroft - I can see that this is going to be a nightmare. I would not need to earn a vast amount to survive so the fixed NI would be expensive - is it compulsory? does it give you pension rights? As it would only be myself private medical insurance might be a cheaper option. I nned to look into the self employment aspect although I do not have any 'real' qualifications. Can you do both?

 

[Deanscroft]

If you are 'officially' employed or if you are registered self-employed then you will pay the NI contribution which qualifies you for healthcare, benefits, and pension rights, however many people (millions!!!!) choose to work in the 'black' economy. There doesn't appear to be any compulsion to join the 'system'.

 

[Big Sal]

I'm interested to learn if you went the private route and which provider.

I am looking at private healthcare providers, such as Sanitas (BUPA), ASSSA and will also ask in my local bank as they offer a provider too.

Any recommendations for private healthcare providers?

Thank you.

 

[Gommar Goffer]

I haven't made the move yet but it is imminent so I will be investigating in more detail and earnest once I arrive

 

[Julian Simms]

These people have competitive rates for those of us who have passed the age of 40 / 50.

DKV Seguros. Health Insurance. Health insurance

Most insurance companies have their own medical insurance, so it may be worth checking with them first.

 

[Big Sal]

Thank you JS, I have contacted DKV Seguros and waiting to receive their quote.

After spending much time analysing the different cover packages, ASSSA informed me that they do not cover Balearics!

Again, more analysing of various cover packages provided by Sanitas, I whittled it down to a choice of 3 packages that would suit (all include reduced dental treatment and emergency cover abroad):
Sanitas Mas Plus (low excess) 58 Euros
Sanitas Mas Plus Optima (has excess) 50 Euros
Sanitas Mas Salud (no excess) 69 Euros p/m
Sanitas then advised me that if you apply for residency, their only accepted plan is a No Excess plan. If only I had known that at first glance! So now I know this, when asking for quotes, I say it's for residency application!

It appears that many health policies here, use this excess structure, known as co payment. Dependent on level of cover, an expected example would be:
'0 - 6 SERVICES 0€/service
7- 10 SERVICES 4€/service
e.g. if you use the policy 8 times (consultations) the excess would be 6 x 0€ (0€) + 2 x 4€
(8€) a total of 8€ (applies per person per year)'.


AXA PPP Int'l can only offer Worldwide package, however as it covers Worldwide, it's expensive with Standard cover (self-funded primary care) at 191 Euros p/m.

I am also waiting to receive quote from AXA in Pollenca, who I already have my home insurance with, along with a quotation from my bank Sabadell.

I will then call it a day with this research and make a decision from the information I've received. It's driving me insane! - but hopefully it can help other forum members with their investigations and decisions.

 

[Julian Simms]

My company (Mapfre) charge a small amount every time I use their card.

Like all these sort of things, the devil is in the detail.

I am not someone who throws money around but the charges quoted seem to be very economical, and if I were a cynic, I would say too economical.

They can´t be telling you the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

It is worth asking which clinics / private hospitals they use in case of emergencies, as some only use their own or not so highly reccomended ones.

It is also worth asking how much a customer 10, 15 and 20 years older than you pays to give you a rough idea what you will be paying when the time comes, obviously not taking into account inflation etc. My policy charge increases by around 2% per annum.

A prospective male customer should ask what type of coverage they have for prostate cancer and what procedure they would pay for if the prostate needs to be removed.

Having said this, we are lucky to have an excellent NHS service here, where emergencies are treated just as well and effectively as in the local private hospitals.

 

[Big Sal]

Thank you Julian, and thanks for your pointers.

I just contacted Mapfre in Pollenca who quoted promotion of 55.95 Euros for ages up to 50, and ages 51-65 92.34 Euros p/m, with dental health +4.50 Euros p/m. I've google translated their package comparisons, but need to confirm which cover and what they are offering. I need reassurance that their team can offer English as a language and provide policy details in English, so I will follow-up. Unless, Julian you have experience of this?

 

[Big Sal]

A further option is to pay into the Health Service of the Balearic Islands (Ib-Salut), health insurance scheme Special Agreement. Patricia.riutort@ibsalut.es provided statement below:

'It must meet as a requirement to be registered in a municipality of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands and have an antiquity of registration in any Spanish municipality, for a continuous period, a minimum of one year immediately prior to the date of the application.

The person subscribing to the Special Agreement undertakes to make the corresponding economic compensation during the validity of the same, in accordance with the following conditions:

If the subscriber is less than 65 years old: monthly payment of 60 euros. If the subscriber is 65 or older: monthly installment of 157 euros'.

Could be considered on par cost wise with private cover, but I assume the above would include all medical conditions, such as pre-existing.