Medical

65POSTS

8 years ago

Me and my partner are on medication, and are moving to Gran Canaria in a few weeks and although I can get our prescriptions sent from my pharmacy eventually we would like to obtain them from GC , could anyone advise on the procedure ? I am 62 so free prescriptions but not obtaing the state pension yet, my partner is 53 and diabetic and is exempt from prescription charges also, we would obviously like the same arrangement when moved over but cannot seem to get a comprehensive answer ! Any help would be much appreciated.

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Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

8 years ago

I would suggest you call DWP, Overseas Office, and ask them. It is they who pay the 4,700 € p.a. when they issue an S1 which provides 'free cover' in Spain for qualified Brits

RibeiraSacra Serial expat

284POSTS

8 years ago

Note the S1 coverage is for all of those who are in receipt of a UK state retirement pension and wish to live in in Spain. You do not sound as if you are from the age of you both.
UK Healthcare Team on 191 218 1999

Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

8 years ago

RibeiraSacra wrote:
Note the S1 coverage is for all of those who are in receipt of a UK state retirement pension and wish to live in in Spain. You do not sound as if you are from the age of you both.
UK Healthcare Team on 191 218 1999

The S! also covers some at least who have incapacity / dsablement benefit allowances etc. (As I said they will know as they will be the ones who would pay for the 'free cover.')

So ask DWP then you will know of that applies to youi.

martincave Active member

65POSTS

8 years ago

Thanks for the replies, I’ll call the UK healthcare team and see what they say, thanks a lot ,

RibeiraSacra Serial expat

284POSTS

8 years ago

Good luck, hope they give you the news you want.

martincave Active member

65POSTS

8 years ago

Hi,
No luck with that number because I imagine it’s a Spanish Healthcare team that deals with ex pats , so need to over there ! There is very little info available here in the UK in preparation for moving to GC , Typical !

SimCityAT Expert

14141POSTS

8 years ago

martincave wrote:
Hi,
No luck with that number because I imagine it’s a Spanish Healthcare team that deals with ex pats , so need to over there ! There is very little info available here in the UK in preparation for moving to GC , Typical !

There is information, its getting hold of the right person in the office. It doesn't matter if you come over you will still need to sort it out with people in the UK.

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

8183POSTS

8 years ago

#10

martincave wrote:
Hi,
No luck with that number because I imagine it’s a Spanish Healthcare team that deals with ex pats , so need to over there ! There is very little info available here in the UK in preparation for moving to GC , Typical !

The number is correct, but you need to put a 0 in front of it if dialling from the UK; if calling from abroad, then 0044 for the UK country code then the 191 etc.

1 member reacted to this post

Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

8 years ago

#11

Martin.

I just called that number in UK from Spain for you, and they explained in very simple terms what you are required to do.

If either of you are in receipt of a benefit then call your benefit office (number on their letters to you) and if you are elegible they will arange an S1 for you with DWP Newcastle.

If you are not in receipt of a benefit then free cover is not available in Spain for you, that include prescription costs.

Hope that resolves your questions.

2 members reacted to this post

martincave Active member

65POSTS

8 years ago

#12

Hi John,
Thanks for doing that , my partner has just applied for benefits for a medical condition which is just going through the system, so I will call this team to see what is the next move,
Many thanks Martin

martincave Active member

65POSTS

7 years ago

#13

Hi everyone , it’s been a long time organising my own medical cover , finally have cover with DKV from September, so I can now proceed to obtain Residencia! Hopefully !,,,
But the problem remains for my partner who is diabetic, not any medical insurance company will accept him as a client , he has his NIE etc etc ,owns a property here but if he doesn’t soon obtain Residencia he will be forced to leave GC for a period of time , ridiculous system here, because he had private cover in the UK for many years !
Any help would be appreciated.

martincave Active member

65POSTS

7 years ago

#14

Hi everyone, still no cover for my partner who has type2 Diabetes ( tablet only) ideal weight, gym regularly, doesn’t smoke/drink , and has never been ill due to it ! but still no company including through banks will cover him ,, !, Cannot believe no expats have diabetes over here that are living here legally with Certificates of Residency,, Totally exasperated by this situation and looks like he will have to leave here for six months a year , any suggestions would be welcomed.

Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

7 years ago

#15

Martin.

Last year the new government in Spain said everyone who is living in spain is entitled to free cover

This extract from the internet may be of use to you.

........... in Spain there has been a legislative change with the publication of Royal Decree-law 7/2018, of July 27, on universal access to the National Health System, which brings new considerations on public health coverage. Specifically, it modifies the access criteria to the National Health System charged to public funds, linking it to the residence in Spain. In your case, you could meet the stipulated requirements so that your right to health protection and the right to health care are recognised with charges to public funds. So we recommend you go to a Care and Information Centre of the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) to assess your request for health care, according to current legislation........

martincave Active member

65POSTS

7 years ago

#16

Thanks John
I will be looking into this,
Regards Martin

Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

7 years ago

#17

I understand that the free cover applies even to those who are not legally here.

Incidentally. Having an NIE only means a person can make financial transactions. Open a bank account, buy a property etc. It confers no rights regarding residence whatsoever. Even a person who requires a visa to visit spain may have an NIE

martincave Active member

65POSTS

7 years ago

#18

Hi John and others,
I have looked into the possibility of making use of this new rule, and I have found out that this rule will not apply anywhere in Gran Canaria, apparently it is up to the individual principalities whether they adhere to these new rules , unfortunately for us GC is not embracing it !

Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

7 years ago

#19

I do not who you have spoken to Martin but the free health provision I understand is a national law not regional. I think you should press it with the authorities.

Another possibility you might look at is if one of you becomes self employed. That way for the first year one pays 50€ a month social security. I think for a further period there is also a reduced rate

martincave Active member

65POSTS

7 years ago

#20

Hi John,
With all due respect ,I have pursued this exhaustively and it is not available to expatriate Uk citizens , the Police here would only accept Private Medical. Cover that is paid annually,only from January till December and paid in full with excess payments ,so the most expensive premium is the only policy excepted !, Also not only does an invoice from the Medical company is required but also a bank statement proving that it has been paid out with a validated stamped letter from the Bank !
Also regarding “ pressing “ the authorities as you put it , if you attempted that here ,they just shut down and ignore the fact you’re even standing there in front of them !

Johncar Spain Expert

1412POSTS

7 years ago

#21

Ok Martin.
Quote. ‘Aparently it is up to the individual principalities whether they adhere to these new rules ‘

Sorry but I was telling you about a law passed by the national government, applying throughout spain, so

all regions

If you were to get that cover, I know you said you cannot, but I know some others elsewhere who have, I know it is accepted by the police as the medical cover required for EU Citizen Registration

Moving on.

Did you look at the possibility of Autónomo ? That would appear to be a much cheaper alternative at 50€ a month, to the policy you mention: