Andalucian Health Care:
Helping You to use the Spanish Social Security System
The Andalucian Health Care Guide
Information facts for residents and tourists to help you comprehend the Health Care available in Spain. Guiding you...
...'how to use' the Spanish Social Security Systems.
A new country of residence entails enormous adjustments. One aspect - sometimes overlooked - is that of Health Care.
Medical Insurance is Advisable for Almost Anyone
EHIC or Tarjeta Sanitaria
Enroling in the Spanish Social Security
Useful Andalucian Health Care Numbers
Essential Health Care Tips
Many newcomer residents (that do not take out their corresponding National Health Care Insurance), erroneously
believe, they can return for it to their original country - when needed.
When seeking free or reduced-cost medical assistance from the Spanish Social Security Health Care System: tourists and residents must present a EHIC or Tarjeta Sanitaria card - if originating from within the EEA (European Economic Area Countries).
The Padron and its Importance in Andalucian Health Care Matters.
Enrolling in the Spanish Social Security, it is necessary to register in the local Empradronamiento/Census.
Take your passport, N.I.E nº, a photocopy of your Escritura (property deeds) or Contrato de Alquiler (rental contract) and register yourself/ and family, in the Local Town Hall.
A few people have suddenly found themselves exempt (for receiving Health Care), in both Spain and in their original country - with disastrous financial results. In an increasingly aging, foreign resident and non-resident population, the need for adequate Health Care becomes crucial.
Spain has always relied heavily on the family institution, to care for their elderly and sick. The Spanish Social Security's Health Care is excellent, but it still has a limited number of centres capable to supervise and care for the elderly.
There are many misconceptions of the (Spanish Social Security) Medical Health care available: i.e. Helicopteros Sanitarios is not part of the Social Security System.
Urgencias/ Urgencies (Sole Number): 902 505 061
PRINCIPAL EMERGENCY SERVICES
Emergencias Sanitarias/ Ambulance Emergencies : 061
Policía Municipal/ Local Police : 092
Guardia Civil/Civil Guard : 062
Bomberos/ Fire Service : 080
Sea Rescue : 900 202 202
24-Hour (365 days p/yr) Confidential Help-Line for Women Victims of Gender Abuse 016
SOS Emergency Number : 112 (FreePhone)
Cruz Roja/ Red Cross : 952 44 35 45
Helicopteros Sanitarios :
Fuengirola-Based : 953 66 72 11
Marbella-Based : 952 81 67 67/ 952 81 18 18
Regional Hospitals (Addresses and Telephone Nº's Page)
Cita por SMS/Appointment by SMS :CITASAS INFO 600 123 400
Salude Responde/General Health Care Appointments: 902 505 060
INTERS@S
www.juntadeandalucia.es/servicioandaluzdesalud is a new digitalized online service that will save time for making a family doctor appointment.
This document is being translated (every week new translations of online documents are published on the Social Security's Health Care/Sistema Santitario Público de Andalucía's) web site. For the time being, use the following translated guidelines:
- click on: "cita para el médico", left hand column (appointment with the doctor)
- fill in the Tarjeta Sanitaria Nº (EHIC, or other type of Sanitary Health Identity card nº)
- Fecha de Nacimiento/ Date of Birth:
Día/Day: Mes/Month: Año/Year
- Documento Identificativo (Obligatorio para mayores de 14 años)/Identifying Identification (Obligatory for over 14yrs)
- Tipo/Type of Identification/ Under the arrow are various choices:
- D.N.I. (Documento Nacional de Identidad/Spanish National Identity Card), Otros (Other), Pasaporte (Passport), Tarjeta de Extranjero (Foreigner's Card, i.e. Residencia
Having completed these details click on the
Conectar/Connect Box.
Help your Doctor to Understand You.
The Spanish Social Security Doctors have an estimated 4 minutes to assess each patient.
A typical (social security) doctor's shift, entails that they get to see, over 40 people during that period. Local Social Security Health Centres are very busy places.
If you do not speak Spanish, it is very advisable to take a Spanish-speaking companion. Time, is freed for treatment, rather than trying to understand: defective Spanish. Larger local Health Centres provide a voluntary-based translator service.
Some Doctors - can and will - refuse to treat unless there is a proficient translator 'present' during your consultation.
Keep every medical paper 'carefully'. Offer them at your corresponding medical appointments.
New Experiences.
Living in Spain offers many new experiences.
There are a few strange creatures in this country on both land and sea, that require a little awareness...
The sun's rays are far more intense in Andalucia Spain
: protection is highly advisable.
Health Tourism: "Malaga Health"
The Costa del Sol has a wealth of private health centres.
Malaga Health's Foundation.
The Importance of Local Produce
Improve your health. Consume Andalucia's superb Mediterranean diet. What is the Mediterranean Diet? A cold-climate regime is not suitable. This colourful land provides a wealth of sun-ripened seasonal fruits and vegetables - either tropical or local.
One last tip: For those seeking Gynaecology (which often seems elusive...) route through the Family Planning section of your Local Health Centre.
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