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health care paperwork

trinencadian

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
April 2013
Hi all,

I know that EU citizens can get free health care in Spain if something were to happen to them along the Camino. And that non-EU people have to pay for said health care. Even though I’m Canadian, as luck would have it, I’m also an EU citizen. Is there certain paperwork I need to have with me to prove my citizenship if I end up in a clinic or hospital? Or is having my French passport good enough? Or do I not qualify for this because despite being a citizen, I'm not a resident (live in Canada)?

Thanks
-T
 
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Hi there,

I am no expert on this... so take this with a "pinch of salt", but I was under the impression that it was the country where you had residence were you were covered by that countrys government health care.

For example I am norwegian but live in Spain. Once I had to go the the emergency room in Norway, but as a spanish resident they did not find me in the norwegian system and I had to use my Spanish health card (that I got since I am a resident here).

So for me, I always need to use my Spanish health coverage... not sure if this is the same for you, but you should check.

Greetings from Santiago,
Ivar
 
I am British but live in Costa Rica. I have to take out private insurance when I visit Europe. The benefits are for those citizens who actually reside in one of the EU countries. Anne
 
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that’s what I was thinking but I was holding on to fragile hopes! Ah well. Thanks, Ivar and Anne! I guess I should start looking into insurance. Knock on wood it is never needed!
 
Hola

Even for EU citizens visiting Spain only emergency health care is provided by the Spanish health system - therefore travel/health insurance is a must.

John
 
We visited clinics twice on the Camino. Once when my daughter had a fever and once when my mom badly twisted her ankle. In both cases, they took our information, photocopied our passports, and treated us at no cost whatsoever. With my daughter, we did give them our insurance card for private insurance in the US, but they never billed it. When my mom went, they didn't even ask about insurance! And this wasn't a language issue either, as my mom and sister are fluent in Spanish.

It was my first experience with socialized medicine and I have to say that it was a pleasure! The pediatrician we saw in Portomarin even made a "house call" at the albergue later that evening to make sure the medicine was working and that our daughter was feeling better. Has anyone else had experiences like this on the Camino? Is carrying extra health insurance that important, when clinics do not seem to bill for services?
 
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Some people may have international travel coverage for health care expenses through their employer's extended health plans. If you are fortunate enough to have this coverage, make sure to fully understand what is and is not covered.
 
Hola

Given the economic crises in Spain, in recent months the law has changed and there has been a general tightening up of the "free" care given. Whilst I hope that pilgrims on Camino would be treated sympathetically carrying appropriate insurance is the only guarantee that you won;t face a hefty bill.

John
 
I live in the UK and travel with the European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC) on the back of which it says as point 1 make sure you have valid travel insurance, which I will do.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaced the old E111 in 2006.
Your EHIC lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It will cover you for treatment that is needed to allow you to continue your stay until your planned return. It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth.
The EHIC is valid in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries, including Switzerland. For more information about what is covered in each country see our country-by-country guide.

http://tinyurl.com/6n4fo6c

In my experience traveling throughout the EU, especially in tourist areas away from major cities, the medical staff would treat a traveler as they would their own citizen. Sailing the Mediterranean recently a young crew member fell sick and we pulled into a nearby Greek island where he was examined and treated completely free and without any paperwork. I would think that if a stay in Hospital were required then the paperwork would kick in and if medical repatriation was required then travel insurance would be required.

I have an Australian born relative living in Hong Kong who had her son examined & treated in a London Accident and Emergency hospital department (not requiring admission)- when she asked how much she had to pay they waved her away.
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
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Yes of course you are right - in the current economic circumstances we should not expect so much and must be insured.
 
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