Health Matters in Valencia

Description:

If you intend to live full time in Valencia Spain then you will need to complete form El21 that will provide free general medical care for anyone of UK retirement age.

If you are not of retirement age you will need to be working and paying social security contributions to qualify for the free care service.

For those who prefer private health cover, or additions to the health care system, there are similar providers to those offering the service in the UK.

Ask at your doctors surgery (Centre de Salut) where your nearest Hospital is situated and don't wait until there is an emergency.  NOT many of the doctors and staff will speak English.  You will find local doctors, dentists  and  chemists  in all local villages, but again few speak English.  You may be better to take one of the translators with you on your first visit.  Some people take them on every visit if they need regular attention.  See separate translation section - to be added.

The World Health Organisation recognises the Spanish Health Service as the 6th best in the world whereas the UK is currently 24th.

Retiring to Spain?

If you are planning to retire and live in Spain and you are already or will be receiving a state pension, you should obtain Form E121 from the Department of Social Services.  The easiest way to do this is to telephone them on:   0845 - 9154811.

Not retired yet?

However if you are not yet receiving a pension but have paid NI contributions during the last three years you will need Form E106.  You can obtain this form in the UK before you move by telephoning: 0191 - 2187547.

The UK (EU) forms E106 & E121 - What to do

These forms will give you medical cover for a very short time before you have to apply for Health Insurance.  Please note, however, that this is for living in Spain and you will be registered as a member of INSULAD.  You will be given a social security card, and will then need to register with a Doctor from the list given to you.

E106 Form

When you receive your E106 form, take it with: -

1.    Copy of Padrona
2.    Copy of Passport
3.    Copy of Marriage Certificate (if Married)

To this Address:
Seguridad Social Valencia
Caiss Torrent
38 Calle Virgen Del Olivar
Torrent

Go to the Ayuntamiento at the bottom of the Pais Valencia
Then across the road to San Cristobal
And walk down to Virgen Del Olivar

They will send the documents to Valencia
In about three to four weeks they will send you one of the E106 forms back stamped and signed and with a date to say when the form expires.
Repeat the exercise before the expiry date!

Note:  If in doubt you should get one of the Translators that we recommend.  John & David Velasco are particularly recommended as their Mother Ilda Velasco works with them in a case where a lady has to be escorted to the doctor or a hospital.



Health Care - advice direct from
The British Consulate

The Latest Medical Advice received from the British Consulate

On 13 August 2004 the Consellería de Sanidad of the Valencian Autonomous Community issued fresh and more explicit instructions on the procedures to be adopted by health centres when considering applications for health cover from British citizens who have moved to this part of Spain.  Please note that these instructions apply only in the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante.

British citizens, who are neither pensioners nor employed people, can apply for health care under the Spanish Social Security system as it operates in the Valencian Autonomous Community.

They should apply, referring to "Circular 1/2002" and to the "Instrucciones relativas al derecho a la asistencia sanitaria de los ciudadanos Del Reino Unido" dated 13 August 2004, for a "tarjeta sanitaria SIP" at their local health centre, where they will be required to produce the following documentation:

1.    Valid British passport
2.    Valid residence card (we are waiting for clarification on whether the health centres will be allowed to accept a stamped copy confirming an application for Residencia in lieu of the card itself)
3.    "Padrón" certificate (recently-issued)
4.    Document stating that applicant is not entitled to health care in any other country (following consultations with Medical Benefits, Newcastle*, and Consellería de Sanidad, Valencia, this should take the form of Medical Benefits' written notification that a person does not qualify for any of the "E" forms, accompanied by a Spanish translation of this by a sworn translator or a certificate from the Consulate confirming the authenticity of this document).

*Medical Benefits                    tel:  00 44 191 2187547
The Pension Service                    fax: 00 44 191 2187376
Tyneview Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1BA
England


British Consulate, Alicante
2 September 2004

We recommend that you contact Newcastle prior to moving out here.  If you leave it until you moved out here you can always ask them to phone you back, otherwise the phone calls may be expensive.

Registering with your local Doctor

Here is some basic information on how to get a doctor.  We have had lots of experience after Chris' accident.

"Solicitud de Asistencia Sanitaris"

The "Solicitud de Asistencia Sanitaris" form entitles you to medical care and must be obtained from the local Seguridad Social (Social Security) office.  To use the National Health Service in Spain you really need to possess a yellow and red Social Security Card (Documento de Afiliacion a la Seguridad Social) which you can obtain from the Social Security Offices in Valencia

To obtain this form you will need: -

• Form E106 or other proof of medical cover.
• Copy of pension or other finances including NI number
• Copy of passport
• Copy of NIE or NIF
• Copy of Certificacion de Inscripcion Padronal

When this form has been completed by that department, they will then keep all these copies of your documents. Several weeks later you will receive a form from them stating that you are permitted to sign on with a doctor, and are entitled to medical care for a certain period of time.

With this card you are eligible for free health service in the local clinics (Ambulatorios) and public hospitals.  However, if you wish you register with your local doctor you must take photocopies and originals of certain documentation along with you.  These are normally; your Spanish Social Security Card, Passport or NIE card, and the Certificate that states you have registered as a resident with the local council.  This certificate is called "Certificacion de Inscripcion Padronal" and is readily available from the Town Hall. (See earlier advice on this form).  If you are in possession of your UK Form E106 (or similar if retired), you should also take this with you.

You will be issued with a temporary card or form which is valid for three months only and during this time your permanent medical card or "Tarjeta Azul" as it is commonly known, will arrive to your home address by post.

Just like in England, after registering with the clinic your new doctor will probably like you to make an appointment to go through your medical history and create a patient's file.  For this it may help to take a Spanish Speaking Person along with you although many doctors can speak some English.  Your doctor can provide you with prescriptions for your medication with a discount from the normal pharmacy price of up to 50%.  Drugs are cheap here anyway and many things can be obtained over the counter without a prescription - You should ask at the chemist for drugs you normally take, before booking up an appointment with the doctor.  You will be surprised how much different it is from the UK and how cheap they are!

In Valencia City there are several private and public hospitals.  However, each particular town has a main hospital assigned to it.  For example the towns of Montroy, Real de Montroy and Monserrat etc need to use the "General Hospital" in Valencia.  When you register with your doctor it would be worth knowing which hospital belongs to your town, although in emergency situations of course you can use any.  If you ever need an ambulance, simply dial 061.

You will find a medical centre in almost all towns and they are called "Centre de Salut".  You should register at the "Centre de Salut".  They will make an appointment for an initial medical and you will be then able to see your local Doctor or Nurse.

Also, in most of the local villages there are private clinics if you have opted for private health care.  We have been told that they are excellent and well staffed with consultants.