Spanish Health Care / Convenio Especial

[classic]

I have recently gained access to the Spanish health care system & it was easier than expected. 
(I am under pension age, full time resident but not working here).
Firstly a trip to Central de la Salud and a form to fill in for the Convenio especial, which was then submitted complete with copies of my passport, residencia, empadron and bank details (It will cost 60 euros per month until I'm of retirement age). 
I also needed to sign a declaration stating I was not able to access any other public health care service.
Three weeks later a letter confirming I had been accepted arrived; we took that back to Central de la Salud, registered with the doctor and collected the health card the following week.
My thanks must go to Miguel at The Boxx for his assistance again with anything 'official', but the procedure was very straight forward.

[classic]

I've had my empadron & residencia for 18 months, and was using a private health insurance from the bank up to now. 
I applied for the health care on the 18th Feb and three weeks later had the confirmation. I guess a 'stumbling block' is the signed declaration for anyone who still is eligible for the UK national health service.

[Johnrgby]

I've had my empadron & residencia for 18 months, and was using a private health insurance from the bank up to now. 
I applied for the health care on the 18th Feb and three weeks later had the confirmation. I guess a 'stumbling block' is the signed declaration for anyone who still is eligible for the UK national health service.

Could you please clarify something for me, re the signed declaration, are you saying that you have in effect signed away your rights to access the Health service in the UK? we are both past retirement age, and when we got here the documentation we received from the UH an S1?? specifically states we can return to the UK should we require any procedure.

[classic]

My understanding is that you can only be in receipt of one public health service at a time - ie if you returned to the UK, then you sign back onto the NHS and are no longer eligible here.  Please do get this clarified officially, as I am here permanently and have to ties back in the UK it does not effect me.

[Johnrgby]

My understanding is that you can only be in receipt of one public health service at a time - ie if you returned to the UK, then you sign back onto the NHS and are no longer eligible here.  Please do get this clarified officially, as I am here permanently and have to ties back in the UK it does not effect me.

OK, thanks for that. we are also here permanently and will check it, no that it really matters as we have no intention of returning to the UK on a full-time basis, but we do have family and property back there so the odd visit is always on the cards. once again thanks for your reply.

[gattaca66]

I’m not sure if it’s been covered under an earlier thread - can’t see one - but the situation re the Convenio Especial and healthcare in general in Spain could change considerably, I understand. Royal Decree 7/2018 (Mid 2018?) declared that free healthcare should be available to all Residents, not just Spanish citizens. Implementation was devolved to the regional governments, leading to piecemeal interpretations. I understand that several regions on the mainland have ceased issuing the CE because it should become obsolete, and at least one (Almería, I think) has opened up healthcare as required. It seems most are waiting until after the late April elections to see if anything changes, but the ‘direction of travel’ seems clear. I won’t post references and links, as there is plenty if Googled!

[Johnrgby]

OK I have checked it and the position appears to be this:- If we return to the UK for a visit we can use A+E, whether or not it is an actual A+E situation. also should in the future some sort of procedure become necessary e.g. anything from kidney stone removal to a heart transplant  you can opt to have it done in the UK.

[Robbo]

OK I have checked it and the position appears to be this:- If we return to the UK for a visit we can use A+E, whether or not it is an actual A+E situation. also should in the future some sort of procedure become necessary e.g. anything from kidney stone removal to a heart transplant  you can opt to have it done in the UK.

This isn't right I'm afraid, UNLESS the Spanish health service authorises it (i.e. undertakes to pay for it).

Entitlement to NHS services is based on residence in the UK - immediately necessary treatment for visitors (non-residents) is however free of charge, including at GP surgeries.

If you are covered by the Spanish health service, you should also get a Spanish EHIC (so that the NHS can claim monies back from Spain for any immediately necessary treatment you have in the UK).  

Immediately necessary = emergencies (treatment for which cannot be put off until you return to Spain, or wherever)

[Johnrgby]

OK I have checked it and the position appears to be this:- If we return to the UK for a visit we can use A+E, whether or not it is an actual A+E situation. also should in the future some sort of procedure become necessary e.g. anything from kidney stone removal to a heart transplant you can opt to have it done in the UK.

This isn't right I'm afraid, UNLESS the Spanish health service authorises it (i.e. undertakes to pay for it).

Entitlement to NHS services is based on residence in the UK - immediately necessary treatment for visitors (non-residents) is however free of charge, including at GP surgeries.

If you are covered by the Spanish health service, you should also get a Spanish EHIC (so that the NHS can claim monies back from Spain for any immediately necessary treatment you have in the UK).

Immediately necessary = emergencies (treatment for which cannot be put off until you return to Spain, or wherever)

I posted this as it clearly says on our S1 forms that we retain our entitlement to chose to return to the UK for any procedure, so are you saying this is incorrect, or that I have misread it?

[Robbo]

OK I have checked it and the position appears to be this:- If we return to the UK for a visit we can use A+E, whether or not it is an actual A+E situation. also should in the future some sort of procedure become necessary e.g. anything from kidney stone removal to a heart transplant you can opt to have it done in the UK.

This isn't right I'm afraid, UNLESS the Spanish health service authorises it (i.e. undertakes to pay for it).

Entitlement to NHS services is based on residence in the UK - immediately necessary treatment for visitors (non-residents) is however free of charge, including at GP surgeries.

If you are covered by the Spanish health service, you should also get a Spanish EHIC (so that the NHS can claim monies back from Spain for any immediately necessary treatment you have in the UK).

Immediately necessary = emergencies (treatment for which cannot be put off until you return to Spain, or wherever)

I posted this as it clearly says on our S1 forms that we retain our entitlement to chose to return to the UK for any procedure, so are you saying this is incorrect, or that I have misread it?

Yes, that is correct for UK state pensioners with a properly registered S1 in their new country of residence. Bear in mind however that elective treatments (planned/hospital type stuff) requires GP or specialist referral, which may be tricky when you've given up your UK residence (e.g. having been de-listed by your previous practice). I'm not sure this 'entitlement' works particularly smoothly in practice!