Getting Good Healthcare

13 February 2023

When it comes to our health, we must be certain to select the optimum care available. Here is Affordable Mallorca’s fully comprehensive guide to the island’s best healthcare!

Whether you are searching for a generic GP, and emergency practice, diligent dentist, or a specialised surgeon, the island of Mallorca has some of the best practitioners around! However, hunting them down can be a little tricky, and the big question is: How much is the treatment and which insurance will pay for it?

Good healthcare

Tourists and Residents #

The requirements for tourists and residents are a little different, and it is vital that you understand these differences before embarking on your holidays, or settling to live here on the island!

  • Tourists require some form of travel insurance, to cover them for illness or injury during their time on the island. Even without insurance, which is a huge gamble, you can pay cash at the village or town PAC (“Punto de Atención Continuada”) but those costs can add up if your situation is more extensive than requiring a tetanus shot. We use World Nomads. This works wherever you travel, not just in Spain. Click on the ads in this article to get a quote for a policy when you travel.
  • Residents have more options, regarding registering for the local health service, or taking out their own private policy. Factors such as age, nationality and residency status may impact the kind of cover that you need. In fact, in orderBy to become a resident you need to have private health insurance coverage with no co-payments until you have paid into the social security system and are entitled to state care. We recommend SegurCaixa Adeslas.

The benefits of SegurCaixa Adeslas health insurance are:

  • 100% Spanish visa/ residence permit approval: student visa, non-lucrative visa, golden visa, digital nomad, our service has been trusted by more than 100.000 immigrants and international students.

  • No.1 health insurance in Spain: We have been classified as the no.1 Spanish insurer since 2014. We have the largest network nationwide with more than 43,000 doctors and more than 1,200 medical centres in Spain.
  • Best value for money: We offer a special discount price to all our clients, the most competitive price in the market.
  • Flexibility of the insurance period: With us, you only need to buy the months you need for your stay in Spain, whether it's 3 months or 5 years.The most competitive price in the market
  • Multilingual customer service: Our website is in English to facilitate the experience of English speakers. And we also offer pre- and post-purchase service in English to assist our clients.
  • No need to have a Spanish bank account/we offer multiple payment methods: With a few clicks on-line, you can enjoy a quick quote and purchase process. Worry-free payment with any debit/credit card and automatic orderBy management.
  • Worldwide travel insurance coverage: Unlike other Spanish insurance providers, our health insurance covers emergency costs , travel delays, baggage loss and more than 30 travel-related services worldwide (except for Spain and your home country).

In addition, they have other products such as dental insurance, accident insurance, pet insurance, home insurance and business insurance. Click here to learn more.

Tarjeta Sanitaria #

This nifty little card entitles residents (those who work and reside in Spain for over 183 consecutive days each year, and hold full residency status) to benefit from the fantastic state health service. Spanish healthcare is renowned for being some of the best in the world, and is offered free of charge (to most people) as long as you are paying into the Social Security system.

As an expat, you are entitled to this service providing you meet one of the following criteria:

Living and working in Spain and contributing to social security payments

  • Resident in Spain and receiving specific health benefits
  • Resident in Spain and recently divorced or separated
  • A pregnant woman (resident in Spain)
  • A child (resident in Spain)
  • Under 26 years of age and studying in Spain
  • A state pensioner
  • Temporarily in Spain and holder of a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
Doctor on flag spain background

Registration #

The process is relatively straightforward, but like many things in Spain, it does come with its fair share of paperwork. The first step is registering with Social Security

(Dirección General de la Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social or TGSS). There are offices throughout Spain and across the island of Mallorca, appointments are easy to obtain and a swift process. To obtain the certificate, you need to have registered with your town hall beforehand (certificado de empadronamiento) and also present your passport/ID Card and residencia

Affordable Mallorca Tip: For those of you who aren’t fully confident with the language, it's advisable to take a friend or a translator to help you with the process!

Upon registering with the TGSS you will receive the certificate which entitles you to free medical care, you must present this alongside your passport and NIE at your local medical centre (often referred to as a PAC or Centro de Salud). Once presenting these documents at your local health centre, you will be registered with a doctor and issued a Tarjeta Sanitaria. This card is to be presented every time you make an appointment, or collect a prescription. In the event of moving house or area it is recommended that you move to your nearest health centre, although you can continue to receive treatment at your previous surgery if preferred.

Healthcare

EHIC #

The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is a wonderful little card that entitles members of EU states to access Spanish state health care at a reduced fee or completely free (depending on the procedure).

The EHIC can be used for any treatment that the doctor deems necessary, whether that be an emergency appointment, or check up for a long-standing condition. It must be noted that the EHIC does NOT give you access to PRIVATE health care.

Whilst the EHIC can be used for many things, one cannot use it for specific medical treatments (plastic surgery) or giving birth. If you are staying as a tourist and not intending to register with the Spanish public health system we strongly recommend not to rely on your EHIC alone, but take out an additional travel insurance policy to ensure you are fully covered.

EHIC cards can be purchased online, and usually arrive in the post within 7-28 days. Be sure to check the validity of your card before travelling!

Affordable Mallorca Tip: Please note EHIC cards will no longer be available to British citizens after Brexit should the UK leave the EU without a deal.

Capsules ticket euro european health insurance

Private Policies #

First, as an expat without citizenship or EU Residency Health card, you will need private insurance coverage. For those with the EU Residency Health card, many people will tell you, the waiting times in the state system and the backlog during times like the pandemic are excellent reasons to begin shopping for private coverage.

Given the economies of scale, it is also wise to contract as many of the policies you may need under one trustworthy company because you will pay less over all and get better service for being a loyal customer.

The most popular providers of private policies within Spain are:

  • Adeslas
  • Aetna International
  • Allianz
  • ASISA
  • AXA
  • BUPA Global
  • Cigna Global
  • DKV
  • Generali
  • Globality Health
  • IKEA Family
  • Mapfre
  • OVB
  • Sanitas

Many companies basically all offer the same services, but most either do not cover anyone over age 70 or have significantly limited coverage. Plus, anyone at risk customers (complex medical conditions) and family policies require a broader network. The majority of these policies will be accepted in almost every private clinic. However, we recommend checking all the ins and outs of the policy beforehand with the help of a professional in the sector.

Adeslas Completa

Dentistry #

Dentistry, much like health care, is also highly regarded here in Spain and many people travel far and wide to benefit from the services. The prices are incredibly affordable in comparison to other countries, and the treatment is second to none. However, dental treatments are not covered by the Spanish state health system unless it’s an absolute emergency, i.e. all procedures need to be paid for, unless you hold a private policy.

We recommend Adeslas Seguros

Male doctor dentist looking xray gloves

Births #

All residents of Spain are entitled to antenatal and birth care free of charge.

In fact, Spain’s birth care is renowned for being exquisite which is why so many expats choose to give birth here, rather than in their own country of birth!

To give birth in Spain (through state care) you must be a resident and registered with Social Security or, if you are non-resident, have private health cover with a policy you have held for six to twelve months.

Although state care is fabulous, many expats choose to go private, particularly if their Spanish is not too strong. In Mallorca alone, there are many good private clinics and hospitals, and in cities on the mainland, such as Madrid or Barcelona, there is even more choice. Offering a wider range of scans and tests than other countries, as well as a comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care programme, as well as 16-weeks state maternity leave, it’s easy to see why so many choose Spain as the place to bring their little ones into the world!

Gynecology consultation pregnant woman her doctor

Happy and Healthy #

It would seem that Spain has almost every avenue covered when it comes to receiving the very best healthcare, and at very affordable prices.

Sources

  • www.expatica.com
  • https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain
  • https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/21/spain-balearic-islands

13 February, 2023

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