Question
Can I please ask a question about private Spanish private health insurance cover for the first 5 years if you are below retirement age.
What would the clause “existing medical conditions” mean?
Would you take that as something you have regular medication for?
Or, like myself, I have a lifetime blood related condition that doesn’t require me to have ongoing meds but it can occasionally “flare up” in different ways that I may need a course of tablets for.
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
“Don’t forget, once you have been registered on the Padron for 12 months, you are eligible to switch to the Spanish State – Convenio Especial which is a paid for, state healthcare (60.00€ pp/pm) which covers any condition. We have just switched from private cover.
You can choose to stay private or switch to Convenio. That rises considerably at age 65yrs to 152.00€ pp/pm up to state pensi9n age (currently 67yrs) at which point, obtaining the UK S1 certificate grants you free Spanish healthcare (Only UK nationals)”
“You’ll have to declare existing health conditions for your health insurance and they will usually be excluded from cover. If you do need medication relating to it ,you can just pay for the prescription. some medications are really cheap.”
“Might be classed as a previous condition if you have been to a doctor or treated for it”
“I was told, you’ll be let into Spain via your visa on the provided that the illness you have hasn’t got to be of an infectious nature. Ie HIV, AIDS, To name only two. Things like heart attacks, diabetes (1 /2)- Arthritis etc are not counted. Hope this helps”
“Some meds you can get over the counter and some are a lot cheaper, ask your local spanish pharmacy. If you take your prescription in to pharmacy that will help.
If your over pensionable age you will be eligable to the same help as your local spanish people.”
“Even if your insurance covered your condition, it wouldn’t cover cost of prescriptions/meds. It will cover appointments at docs, treatment etc, just not medications”
In conclusion, the question about private health cover and existing medical conditions has garnered some helpful responses from Spainguru’s Facebook group members. Some suggest considering the Convenio Especial after being registered on the Padron for 12 months, while others point out that existing conditions may be excluded from cover, but some medications can be obtained over the counter or at a lower cost. It is also mentioned that age and type of condition may affect eligibility for certain types of healthcare coverage. Ultimately, it is important to research and understand the terms and coverage of any Spanish private health insurance insurance plan before enrolling.
