Sick on Camino...on train to Leon

[Owensr23]

I'm currently on a train heading for Leon. I've been very fatigued for a couple days. Tested negative for covid still would like some medical care. I'm an American so what is the best way for me to see a doctor in Leon.

I booked a hotel for the next two nights.

 

[Former member 99290]

Sorry to hear you are unwell, but I think you’re in luck heading to Leon.

A few years ago I got very sick in Leon. I was in a lot of pain and the owner of our hotel suggested going directly to the hospital. It’s behind the cathedral. They are very good with pilgrims. One of the first questions they asked - are you a pilgrim? The clothes were a giveaway no doubt. A lady appeared who was a sort of pilgrim liaison person, she spoke many languages. Couldn’t have been more helpful. I was given excellent attention, tests, prescriptions etc.

The lady translating for us also asked about my insurance - in a positive way - and gave all the info I would need to claim for expenses.

Even if you don’t need hospital attention, I’m sure they will help you and point you in the right direction.

Hope you have the same positive experience and a speedy recovery.

 

[Former member 99290]

PS @Owensr23 on reflection, I hope my memory is serving me well about location behind the Cathedral. Maybe it’s not behind, but it was very nearby. I’m sure someone - or your phone or Office de Tourisme - will point you in the right direction.

 

[Owensr23]

The pilgrim office is right there as well I might go there first

 

[henrythedog]

If you don’t speak Spanish, go to a big pharmacy where English will certainly be spoken and get some local professional advice.

 

[SabsP]

PS @Owensr23 on reflection, I hope my memory is serving me well about location behind the Cathedral. Maybe it’s not behind, but it was very nearby. I’m sure someone - or your phone or Office de Tourisme - will point you in the right direction.

Very nearby indeed!

Hospital HM Regla

El Hospital HM Regla de León se caracteriza por ofrecer a sus pacientes la mejor medicina posible, a la vez que el mejor trato humano tanto para ellos como para sus acompañantes. Somos su Salud.

www.hmregla.com

Wish you a quick recovery @Owensr23 !
I stayed in this hotel. Nice if you prefer more luxury and /or privacy.
My room had a view on the cathedral and the clinic.

Hotel Spa Q!H Centro León en León - Web Oficial | Habitaciones

Hotel Spa Q!H Centro León, con 22 habitaciones exteriores y con vistas a la Catedral. Alojamiento de diseño elegante y con todas las comodidades para hacer que tu estancia sea inolvidable.

www.hotelqhcentroleon.com

 

[trecile]

Very nearby indeed!

Hospital HM Regla

El Hospital HM Regla de León se caracteriza por ofrecer a sus pacientes la mejor medicina posible, a la vez que el mejor trato humano tanto para ellos como para sus acompañantes. Somos su Salud.

www.hmregla.com

I had x-rays and stitches at the HM hospital in A Coruña, then had them removed at the HM hospital in Santiago. Both hospitals had an English speaking liason person who was super helpful. I also appreciated being able to pay at time of service and knowing the cost instead of receiving a bill months later. I was given all the forms that I would need to file for reimbursement from my insurance company.

 

[natefaith]

Yes, the HM brand of hospitals is good! That’s where we always send pilgrims in need in Santiago.

 

[ivar]

Yes, the HM brand of hospitals is good! That’s where we always send pilgrims in need in Santiago.

I agree.. I like them in Santiago.

 

[TheSparrow]

Feel better sweet pilgrim!

 

[CA_Pilgrim]

I was given all the forms that I would need to file for reimbursement from my insurance company.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wondering about the possibility of getting sick and needing medical care and how to deal with insurance. Did you (or anyone else with the same experience) submit the bills to your private insurance or did you have special travel health insurance? Any issues either way?

The reason I ask is that I leave in two days but have not purchased supplemental health insurance. Not sure if it's too late now, but perhaps I'll look into it if that's the route you went and had a good outcome.

 

[Former member 99290]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wondering about the possibility of getting sick and needing medical care and how to deal with insurance. Did you (or anyone else with the same experience) submit the bills to your private insurance or did you have special travel health insurance? Any issues either way?

The reason I ask is that I leave in two days but have not purchased supplemental health insurance. Not sure if it's too late now, but perhaps I'll look into it if that's the route you went and had a good outcome.

In my case I had medical cover under a travel insurance policy. I paid the bill in Leon with my credit card. The hospital gave me all the paperwork I would need to claim on my insurance. I notified my insurer of brief details of the incident within a day or two - as was required by the policy. And that I would be making a claim. And I did that some weeks later. If you are claiming for something that’s covered by the policy, and you use a reputable insurer, it should be straightforward.

 

[trecile]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wondering about the possibility of getting sick and needing medical care and how to deal with insurance. Did you (or anyone else with the same experience) submit the bills to your private insurance or did you have special travel health insurance? Any issues either way?

The reason I ask is that I leave in two days but have not purchased supplemental health insurance. Not sure if it's too late now, but perhaps I'll look into it if that's the route you went and had a good outcome.

I filed a claim with my regular health insurance, which paid most of it, then submitted a claim for the balance with my travel insurance who paid the rest. It's not too late to buy travel insurance. I got a good plan with AXA through Squaremouth.com.

 

[Owensr23]

Very nearby indeed!

Hospital HM Regla

El Hospital HM Regla de León se caracteriza por ofrecer a sus pacientes la mejor medicina posible, a la vez que el mejor trato humano tanto para ellos como para sus acompañantes. Somos su Salud.

www.hmregla.com

Wish you a quick recovery @Owensr23 !
I stayed in this hotel. Nice if you prefer more luxury and /or privacy.
My room had a view on the cathedral and the clinic.

Hotel Spa Q!H Centro León en León - Web Oficial | Habitaciones

Hotel Spa Q!H Centro León, con 22 habitaciones exteriores y con vistas a la Catedral. Alojamiento de diseño elegante y con todas las comodidades para hacer que tu estancia sea inolvidable.

www.hotelqhcentroleon.com

I must have been reading your mind. After arriving in Leon I went to the hospital you recommend. I had tests and got needed prescriptions. I also booked rooms in the motel you recommended. My room has a view of the hospital and the cathedral.

Great minds think alike.
My US insurance will pick up the charges

 

[SabsP]

Ah good to hear @Owensr23 .Glad you received good care and help.
Now rest well with that fatigue!

 

[Former member 99290]

@Owensr23 glad to hear you had a positive experience as I did. Wishing you a swift recovery

 

[VNwalking]

Rest well, and may you get well soon @Owensr23!

 

[chinacat]

Get well soon, @Owensr23 !!

 

[Former member 95219]

Good luck! Always a bit grim getting sick
overseas. Feels worse than at home! Spain has top notch facilities and hotels. Often a case of resting but keep professionals close at hand!

 

[Debora]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wondering about the possibility of getting sick and needing medical care and how to deal with insurance. Did you (or anyone else with the same experience) submit the bills to your private insurance or did you have special travel health insurance? Any issues either way?

The reason I ask is that I leave in two days but have not purchased supplemental health insurance. Not sure if it's too late now, but perhaps I'll look into it if that's the route you went and had a good outcome.

are you generally and usually in good health? If yes, then don't worry....you will be fine.

 

[WalkingJane]

If you don’t speak Spanish, go to a big pharmacy where English will certainly be spoken and get some local professional advice.

Good idea. I obtained refill of prescriptions easily by asking to see the pharmacist and showing my pill bottle

 

[longwayhome]

Very nearby indeed!

Hospital HM Regla

El Hospital HM Regla de León se caracteriza por ofrecer a sus pacientes la mejor medicina posible, a la vez que el mejor trato humano tanto para ellos como para sus acompañantes. Somos su Salud.

www.hmregla.com

Wish you a quick recovery @Owensr23 !
I stayed in this hotel. Nice if you prefer more luxury and /or privacy.
My room had a view on the cathedral and the clinic.

Hotel Spa Q!H Centro León en León - Web Oficial | Habitaciones

Hotel Spa Q!H Centro León, con 22 habitaciones exteriores y con vistas a la Catedral. Alojamiento de diseño elegante y con todas las comodidades para hacer que tu estancia sea inolvidable.

www.hotelqhcentroleon.com

I can second this recommendation.. view from my balcony to my surprise was the Emergency Dept entrance will hidden in the ancient city wall

 

[smp]

I agree, the hospital near the cathedral was amazing. (I'm not sure if it is HM?)
I was travelling with a friend who became sick and spent 3 days there. They were very friendly and helpful. Using her insurance was a breeze and she was in a room that had opening windows and 2 beds. They offered me a bed to stay with her

 

[Janesathome]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been wondering about the possibility of getting sick and needing medical care and how to deal with insurance. Did you (or anyone else with the same experience) submit the bills to your private insurance or did you have special travel health insurance? Any issues either way?

The reason I ask is that I leave in two days but have not purchased supplemental health insurance. Not sure if it's too late now, but perhaps I'll look into it if that's the route you went and had a good outcome.

I STRONGLY encourage you to get travel insurance!! I used mine in Burgos in 2019. I had to pay bills up front at the hospital but it was easy to get reimbursed once I was home.
By contrast - a friend’s mother travelled to Spain earlier this year. She did not buy trip insurance and fell very ill while visiting her son. Had 3 surgeries over a few weeks, and ultimately died in the hospital. Now her family is struggling to pay the bills for the hospital stay, surgeries, etc. Turned a terrible situation into an even worse one with a lasting financial impact on the family.