Private Health Insurance

Hi folks

Have any of you taken out "Private Health Insurance"? If so, who with, have you had the misfortune to use it and did they pay out for your treatment? I'd be delighted to hear your stories on this subject.

Hi La

Type 'medical insurance' into the search box on the top right and you will see my experience!

Caroline

la wrote:Hi folks

Have any of you taken out "Private Health Insurance"? If so, who with, have you had the misfortune to use it and did they pay out for your treatment? I'd be delighted to hear your stories on this subject.

Hi There,
Ive just spent a couple of days researching the net and checking out recommended companies before finally choosing 'Freedom' medical insurance. They are UK based, and unlike many of those that were recommended and were certainly cheaper, they allow us our choice of med professional, which for us in our location was necessary as many like ASSSA etc require you to use med professionals within their group, and they may well not speak english.(For us that meant possible travel of a couple of hours!) also covers all EU. Price was significantly better among those offering that type of service - the other two I got quotes from who offer similar type of coverage were CIGNA, and I think SANITAS . will put you in touch with our broker -he was very good if you pm me - don't want to advertise - the company only uses brokers
I have only just signed up with Freedom, for myself & marido, & hopefully won't have anything to report on claims for a long time to come (touch wood!) but will keep you posted.
Once I had made the decision the broker got everything through within a couple of hours so I could get cover note through to lawyer for residency docs.
But I'm real glad to have got that done & out the way! Seems like health insurance comparisons are a bit of a black hole on the internet - which amazed me. I reckon it would be easier to compare rockets! Good Luck!

[quote="OzziePom"]

la wrote:Hi folks

Have any of you taken out "Private Health Insurance"? If so, who with, have you had the misfortune to use it and did they pay out for your treatment? I'd be delighted to hear your stories on this subject.

Freedom Health Insurance - Update

Well we're 1 year along with Freedom Health Insurance.
All in all I am very happy, renewal has just come through, same rate as last year for us both.

Had to make a number of claims for one of us this year, tests, surgery and some more tests, here's how it went on the payments.

To date I have had every euro that I claimed for (including prescriptions) paid back.
It was initially quite a chore though, the company was obviously going through some changes as far as which office dealt with the admin. I was unimpressed, and it did take a couple of emails to get that sorted, (I was a bit nervous that maybe this was all going to be a nightmare as they have offices in UK, France and Dubai!) but then once I got that cleared up - & I had a person to email - & followed the process, ie scanned EVERY receipt, and ALL the test results and also mailed the originals to them (don't forget to take a photocopy first) they did process the claim quickly, and the full amount (less the standard 100euro excess per year) was paid direct to the bank .

It did take time... but the main hold up was not so much with the insurance company but getting the doctors to write the reports.
In my experience it can be VERY difficult to get proper (letterheaded) receipts & reports from doctors, and also for tests carried out. If I can give one tip it is to try not to leave until you have the receipt or report in your hands! though of course often easier said than done.

I am happy to have renewed our policy this year, and now know the claim process. We can also get preauthorized direct payments done, which I may do if we need further surgeries, but so far we have found it easier to pay, then claim on the receipt.

Something I didn't know before - There are very few Private, English-speaking doctors, in our area. Public health doctors are not allowed to also see private patients in spain. So that means more travelling. If we did pay to be in the public health system we would actually find more doctors, and services, closer to home. Something to consider. We still haven't found an English speaking private GP - (any suggestions greatfully received). All our consultations were with specialists.

Hope this is useful, Will update again next year.

Why no just use the Policlinic in Baza if you want private medical care. Otherwise sign on with the local Doctor!

Goujon1 wrote:Why no just use the Policlinic in Baza if you want private medical care.  Otherwise sign on with the local Doctor!

I think the difference is that people want medical insurance. I.e. not having to pay the full price for care that's covered by the policy, in exchange for paying a fixed rate whether the service is used or not.

As it is, since all policies I've seen have so many exclusions, it's debatable whether they really count as insurance. at all