The Spanish Health System
Spain’s National Healthcare is
regarded as one of the better services in Europe. It provides free or
low-cost medical care to those contributing to the system and their
dependents. Standards may vary throughout the country but in Barcelona
you can have access to some of the top centres and professionals in the
system. The Catalan Health Service, CatSalut, offers free and
subsidised treatments to those with a health card. Dental care in Spain
is private although some preventative treatments for children in
Catalunya are free. A new plan, to be implemented by the end of 2008,
will provide free non-cosmetic dental treatment to all children
nationwide aged 7-8 yrs. The coverage will eventually extend to all
children beween 7 and 15 yrs by 2012.
It is important to
remember that, as family, you are generally expected to aid in the care
of patients in hospitals: whether it be a sick child, post-natal
assistance to a new mother or general convalescence. It can come as a
surprise to see the number of family members that are in attendance to
a loved one during all types of serious and non-serious medical
situations. Hospital nurses may take it for granted that family will be
around to give additional support to patients and in the case of a
hospitalised child, an adult family member is expected to be present at
all times.
If you are visiting for a short period as a EU
citizen then you will need your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
which replaced the E111 form in 2004. The EHIC entitles you to free or
sometimes reduced cost medical treatment and medical prescriptions
throughout the EU member countries and is valid from between 3-5 years.
The EHIC will also cover you for routine maternity care whilst you are
in Spain. As a temporary visitor, it is still safer to seek additional
cover through private travel insurance in case of exceptional
situations.
Registering with a Doctor
If
you are planning to stay in Barcleona longer-term you should apply for
your Health Card or TSI (Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual). This is the
card you will take to your local doctor's surgery or CAP (Centro
Ambulatorio Publico). Call the Sanitat health line on 902 111 444 with
your postcode and they will give you details of the CAP at which you
should register. Here you will be assigned a primary care
doctor and your child a paediatrician. Any follow-up treatment
specified by your doctor is dealt with at the CAC (Centro de Atencion
Continuada). The CAP has a home visiting service and emergency service
from Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours check with your local CAP
where your emergency CAC is located as these are the centres that you
can visit at weekends and public holidays.
As a foreigner you
have the right to free healthcareI if your are in regularised
situation. Your dependents then have an automatic right to healthcare.
If you are to be employed then your company will obtain a Social
Security number for you. If not you will need to go yourself to the
Tresosria General de La Seguridad Social (Tel. 93 496 2288) nearest to
you. You will also need to have your Empadronamiento (proof of fixed
address) from you local town hall. The Empadronamiento requires you to
show a rental agreement or a utitliy bill showing your name and address
and is given regardless as to whether you have residency yet or not.
Remember that the Empadronamiento is only valid for 1 month and if
older than this you will have to go and request a new one.
Once
armed with your paperwork, you will immediately be given a temporary
healthcard from your CAP and are then sent your permanent Tarjeta
Sanitaria Individual at a later date by mail. You are allowed
healthcare if you have residency in Spain, even if you are not working.
Of coure, the residency application process and getting your Social
Security number may require you to support your request with additional
information. As usual here, it can sometimes depend on the day and who
you see as to what documentation you require so make sure you always
take along as much as possible.
By rights, If you are pregnant
and are in Spain you will automatically be given free treatment on the
public health system irrespective of your nationality or legal
situation. See http://www.barcelonabirth.net
for exellent advice and information regarding childbirth in Barcelona.
If your children are under the age of 18, they also have the right to
free healthcare whatever the circumstances.
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