Rheumatoid Arthritis - medication query

[chris(madrid)]

Originally Posted by littleredrooster

However this did not wash with the Spanish and she was treated as though an unknown patient with an unknown problem and they insisted on doing their own very thorough diagnosis and tests starting at square one.

This will ALSO happen often if you go to your Spanish GP with private Spanish results. The reason is VERY simple. If they made a recommendation/prescription made on anothers diagnosis and results - and it turned out to be wrong - there'd be hell to pay. Seems fair to me - after all mistakes in translation DO occur. I bet the UK SS would do the same btw! - the Germans most certainly did.

This year I obtained X-rays privately to speed things up. But the private analysis was way off. The SS analysis was totally different BUT did concur with one made in Germany 10 years ago.

Serious illness in Spain is best treated by the Social Security. If you intend to make Spain your home - you're better off (BY FAR) getting residency here.

[littleredrooster]

Originally Posted by Colinmckenzie

Hi Lucy,
I have the same condition as yourself. Have you any idea of how to get medication and blood tests in Spain yet? Grateful for any help you can give.

Hi Colin, Much the same as with Lucy it is not probably not worth going into the system unless there for more than a year or permanently.
Although it is 5 year since you were in Spain it is quite likely your number is still in their records and they will prefer or insist you use the same one if required.
So if you still have copy of it,best to take it with you otherwise they may well be able to trace it from your name and previous Spanish address.

[crookesey]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but no private medical insurer will cover anyone for a pre-existing condition. It's like applying for life assurance after you have been diagnosed with a terminal condition.

Insurers will however underwrite a policy on 'Moratorium' terms, this means that if you didn't have official medical treatment for a pre-existing condition for the 'Moratorium' period (generally 5 years) then the condition would be reinstated as insurable. This of course means that you would have to pay premiums into a contract that will not offer cover for 5 years in respect of the condition that is most likely to cause you problems.

So that's all that I can help with, it appears to be a choice between the UK and Spanish health services.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by crookesey

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but no private medical insurer will cover anyone for a pre-existing condition.

Although in theory that is true, its not always the case, and you just need to ask the insurer. I declared two minor pre existing conditions. One was accepted, and the other not.

Some insurers will also take on more serious pre existing conditions, but will charge an uprated premium for it.

They wont though obviously take any terminal cases

[SunnySpain]

"Although in theory that is true, its not always the case, and you just need to ask the insurer. I declared two minor pre existing conditions. One was accepted, and the other not."

I think Stravinsky makes a very well informed comment here. Each insurer has its own set of rules, so your own situation could be accepted by 1 insurer and not another. You would therefore need to shop around.

I might add that I knew nothing about this subject at the age of 37, but these days I'm quite frankly astounded by my superior knowledge base - lol

A little knowledge can be dangerous, a little more knowledge can be fruitful

Regards, Dave

[crookesey]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Although in theory that is true, its not always the case, and you just need to ask the insurer. I declared two minor pre existing conditions. One was accepted, and the other not.

Some insurers will also take on more serious pre existing conditions, but will charge an uprated premium for it.

They wont though obviously take any terminal cases

Private health insurers in the UK never seek medical evidence on application, but oh boy don't they go for it when a claim arises? When declaring a pre-existing condition I urge you to word it in the identical manner that it is stated in your medical records, even if it means asking your doctor to complete this section of the application form.

Keep copies of your application form with your policy document, disputing claims is now second nature to UK insurers (no idea about Spain), so better safe than sorry.

[littleredrooster]

With regard to Lucys problems which appear similar to those of my wife,---- In view of the fact that all that is required is a sample of blood taken,----a common practice anywhere at anytime, not requiring diagnosis or treatment of any sort by the Spanish,---therefore no responsibility at all to a doctor,or it could simply be done by a nurse,I still cannot see the reason for so much red tape.
The printout or result goes back to her home GP who confirms if it is OK or not to continue with the medication
My wife is from Sweden and is allowed to carry 3 months supply or more with her, so no problem there. Maybe that is possible from the UK also, in the case of a long holiday.
It seems that Lucy will have no alternative but to use a private Spanish clinic.
However I can say from my own experience that they are generally of a high standard and not unreasonable pricewise.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by crookesey

Private health insurers in the UK never seek medical evidence on application, but oh boy don't they go for it when a claim arises? When declaring a pre-existing condition I urge you to word it in the identical manner that it is stated in your medical records, even if it means asking your doctor to complete this section of the application form.

Keep copies of your application form with your policy document, disputing claims is now second nature to UK insurers (no idea about Spain), so better safe than sorry.

Yes I agree, always take care.
I was responsible for arranging all the company health care for our company so I saw how they treated existing conditions.

To be fair to them they did treat each case as it came ... I never saw anyone be declined treatment, but I guess as you say it is a national passtime for insurers in all lines of insurance to do their best not to honour a claim