Tenerife forum

[Lesg]

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can help me.

My brother in law moved permanently to Tenerife (Los cristianos) earlier this year and applied for the regular Spanish medical insurance.

Unfortunately he has developed a back problem which is preventing him from working (and walking for no more than 5 - 10 minutes).
He has been told by local medical staff that he must have an operation on his back, which is estimated to cost him around 8,000 to 10,000 euros. His medical insurance is not yet valid (only due end of August / September) but he is in so much pain, he cannot wait.

Can anyone confirm that the estimate for the operation is reasonable, and is there any help he can receive towards the costs ? Currently, his family are looking to find as much as cash as possible to help.

Many thanks,

Les

[rob]

I have a
suggestion for your brother, I've recently had one session of treatment from
a man here who practises 'Shiatsu arterial stretching' I've tried many
things because I won't have surgery performed (do you know the statistics
for acquiring diseases in hospitals and faulty operations?). This man cured
a friend's wife of ME which she had been suffering from for 10 years so I
thought I'd try it. The man is rather full of his own self importance but he
does an excellent job, I have so much mobility and freedom from pain now.
The cost varies from person to person but he does discount to residents, a
half body treatment cost me 80 Euros and I have to go back in 3 months for
the other half which I can assure you I will be doing. I have nothing to
gain from this e-mail, no commission, the man doesn't even advertise on my
site. If your brother is interested tell him to contact me for info. Rob
Carless Sun4Free.com tel 922 71 80 61

[sara]

hey rob darling... for less than that , i would have come over and given you the massage of your life!!! it would only have cost you my flight, a few bottles of brandy...nice meals out etc.. don't go for your next planned session... e-mail me instead!! THIS IS NOT A UNIVERSAL OFFER: IT ONLY APPLIES TO ROB!! sorry, didn't want any little misunderstandings....

[sara]

seriously, i hope all goes well and he's feeling ok soon. good luck!

[makum101]

This is a very grey area and has been discussed in length elsewhere on the web.

If your brother in law has registered with the Spanish National health and has a medical card and is also registered for Spanish Social security (NHS and Social Security offices are opposite each other in the same street in LC). Then he is entitled to this operation on the Spanish health service. Unless it is deemed cosmetic etc. (same as the UK).

If you took an E111 form from the Uk then this will speed things along. Even if he doesn’t pay into the Social Security system he IS STILL entitled to free health care as he is an E.U citizen (im assuming he is an E.U citizen?). Forms are available from the UK Consulate. www.ukinspain.com (click the English flag top left).

If he has private medical health care they will not cover any operations other then life threatening ones during the "grace Period" (usually 6 months). However he will be able to arrange the operation from the company after this period is over - As long as he was not diagnosed before the time of application and filling the disclosure of medical conditions form in.

The fact that ANY E.U citizen is now entitled to national health care in Spain without having paid into the system is a fairly recent addition has led to a certain amount of confusion amongst the Spanish authorities over the last year or so. Therefore I would suggest your Bro in law seeks advice from solicitor familiar with dealing with A UK expats and B the national legislation changes in recent years.

The only exclusion would be if he has not paid into the UK social security (contributions) for a few years.

Interestingly for those expats who do not voluntarily pay their UK Nat insurance contributions... Do you realise that after 5 years away from Blighty you have to prove your ancestry is in the UK to the UK authorities (If your to become a resident again) to use the Nat health service!?

[katja]

Hi!

I work in Hospiten Sur in Las Americas. We are a private hospital but emergencies are covered by the social security (either the E111 or the Spanish social security) and if he would have to stay in the hospital that would be covered as well as long as we have got public beds available, if not he would be send to the hospital Candelaria in Santa Cruz by an ambulance. If he has ever worked legally (=with a contract) in Spain he should have his social security number on his pay slips and also on his work contract. In case he would have to come to the hospital, he would have to bring either his E111 and his passport or any legal document with his Spanish social security number (12 numbers starting with 38 if he got it in tfe) on it. He can also go to the medical centre in Los Cristianos (opposite the bus stops) and register with a GP and his GP could then send him to a neurologist and he then can send him for further tests.