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Hidden Costs Of Health!
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For the past few weeks I haven't been feeling too great. I haven't seen a Doctor in about two and a half years, so I decided it was time to go today. As a Spanish Resident I do have a SIP card, which does entitle me to free health care. However nothing is quite that simple. In order to make an appointment and see a Doctor, I need to employ the services of a translator; Spain will not fund this service. Therefore every time I see a doctor, I would have to pay around 50€, quite expensive in my humble opinion. Getting hold of an interpretor when required is also no mean feat. I decided to avoid the public health care system here in Spain altogether; at least in the short term, so I can learn to speak a bit more Spanish first. For the sake of my own sanity, I will have to pay privately for now!
This morning I went up to Salvum Health Care at the Santara Life Resort. Here they offer a Health Plan for 150€ a year. This entitles you to reduced health care costs and Doctors Appointments. These usually cost 50€ a visit; as a member of Club Salvum, they cost 20€ a visit, a big saving. Don't get me wrong, it is expensive, but I don't have any other options open to me. As a non Spanish speaking resident, intending to live in Spain indefinitely, I need to ensure I have access to medical services.
Today I booked up for the MOT at a reduced cost of 50€. I had my blood pressure taken, which was rather high, as I expected and will have to have it monitored for seven days. I can get this done in the farmacia or at Salvum and will make an apointment next week to get all my results.
Despite having a free health service in Spain, there are hidden costs. Unlike the UK Spain doesn't fund a free health service for foreign residents, unless you are working, paying into the system, which is only right of course. I can ill afford to pay to see a Doctor, but I do believe investment in health is important at my time of life, so am prepared to fund a few tests for peace of mind. It will mean we have to tighten our belts financially for a while, but that is part of the course living here anyway; money is tight, for everyone. A 240€ medical bill is not something I have budgeted for and will just have to take it on the chin. As long as I get some answers, I am happy to pay. More tests tomorrow, fingers crossed they go well!
This morning I went up to Salvum Health Care at the Santara Life Resort. Here they offer a Health Plan for 150€ a year. This entitles you to reduced health care costs and Doctors Appointments. These usually cost 50€ a visit; as a member of Club Salvum, they cost 20€ a visit, a big saving. Don't get me wrong, it is expensive, but I don't have any other options open to me. As a non Spanish speaking resident, intending to live in Spain indefinitely, I need to ensure I have access to medical services.
Today I booked up for the MOT at a reduced cost of 50€. I had my blood pressure taken, which was rather high, as I expected and will have to have it monitored for seven days. I can get this done in the farmacia or at Salvum and will make an apointment next week to get all my results.
Despite having a free health service in Spain, there are hidden costs. Unlike the UK Spain doesn't fund a free health service for foreign residents, unless you are working, paying into the system, which is only right of course. I can ill afford to pay to see a Doctor, but I do believe investment in health is important at my time of life, so am prepared to fund a few tests for peace of mind. It will mean we have to tighten our belts financially for a while, but that is part of the course living here anyway; money is tight, for everyone. A 240€ medical bill is not something I have budgeted for and will just have to take it on the chin. As long as I get some answers, I am happy to pay. More tests tomorrow, fingers crossed they go well!
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