Navigating Healthcare Abroad: A Personal Journey Through Spain's Medical System

If you travel a lot, take extended trips, at some stage you might need medical assistance. Insurance is a great thing, but that really kicks in as part of the reimbursement process. The frequency of this occurring can be age-related and your experience can depend on which country you visit, and our experience is confined to Spain, as thankfully we have not needed medical attention in any of the other countries we’ve visited.

Let me start by saying that the medical services in Spain have been excellent on the three occasions H has decided to test them, and whilst I intend to avoid direct comparison to the UK, it’s fair to say that we would have no issues with being treated here and have been very satisfied with the care received.

If you need accident and emergency type treatment, of course, the post-Brexit arrangements allow for the GHIC card to be presented, and this is a reciprocal scheme where emergency care is covered. However, beyond this, you will now have to pay for treatment and prescriptions. It’s a good tip to remember to retain copies of all receipts and a copy of the medical record created , your insurance company is going to need it.

We have used the medical services on three occasions in Spain and have found them not only outstanding clinically, but also very helpful and compassionate. It’s worth remembering that when they try to speak English, this is a second language and a courtesy and not always possible, so Google Translate is your friend.

The three occasions H has encountered health care are interesting as they are different in context.

1. Accident and Emergency. A couple of years ago, Helen had a climbing accident in Espuna Mountains in Spain. We thought she had broken her jaw, mercifully this wasn’t the case but we attended the A & E at Elche Hospital a modern and sophisticated facility. From entering to leaving was less than two hours which included X-rays and prescriptions. The latter, prescriptions , was the only expense incurred on this occasion . Excellent and compassionate care provided in a very well-organised and not overrun hospital.

2. The second was the need for antibiotics following illness - This we did on a private online service using a Private GP and Prescription. The video consultation cost €20 Euros and the Private Prescription, emailed to us, cost €10 for two prescription drugs. The service link is here https://doctorsa.com/ This was almost an immediate service and ideal for illness which is non emergency and covers the EU area.

3. The third more recently was after discovering a red flag issue that required checking and may have required a return to the UK and curtailment of the holiday early. However, after presenting at a Hospital upon the advice of our insurer CMC Red Pennant - within 6 hours we had been examined by a consultant had two scans and the results delivered again by the consultant which thankfully gave an all clear. The costs for the consulting and scans came to €280. This meant the trip could continue and early curtailment avoided.

In summary, these three scenarios demonstrate the confidence you can have in the Spanish medical system, which frankly has been excellent on all fronts.