Moving to Spain? Why you should get private health care

More people than ever are deciding to relocate to another country, either for work reasons, love, travel, or because they’ve decided to retire. Spain is one of the countries that tops the list of expat relocation destinations. However, while moving can be a real adventure, it needs lots of planning. You must consider your well-being and peace of mind (and that of your family, if you're bringing them with you). If you're moving to Spain, an item at the top of your list will be looking into private health care in Spain. 

Considerations for Private Health Care in Spain

Spain has universal public health care, but access to quality care and special coverages can vary widely between countries. It’s often the case that the care received in your home country will be different from what you will receive in Spain. Therefore, for your new life, it’s a good idea to consider the elements below when choosing your insurance.

• Price Comparison: It’s always a good idea to compare prices between policies for the number of people that need to be insured. Some policies are designed for families who will need specific coverages, while others cater more towards young, healthy individuals who do not anticipate going to the doctor often. Choosing the right policy for your unique situation can save you money. 
  
  
• With or without co-payments: Many health insurance policies offer an option with no co-payment. This option provides continuous assistance based on a single premium and the insurer covers all expenses incurred (there may be a limit on the number of sessions or uses). With other policies, you may have to pay an extra amount for co-payments (to access certain services) in addition to the monthly or annual premium. With Caser Expat Insurance, you can choose either option: a reduced-price monthly fee with a low co-payment, or pay a little more for the monthly premium and enjoy health insurance without co-payments.
  
  
• International Coverage: You can either take out private health care in your home country (with coverage in Spain), or take out private insurance in Spain designed for specially for expats. Caser Expat Insurance is your go-to company for expats! It’s important to be aware of the national and international coverage of your insurance, especially if you travel or visit your home country frequently. 

5 Advantages of Private Health Care in Spain

1. Choice of doctor and hospital: You will have the option to go to whichever professional you want. With private insurance, you can choose from a wide variety of private doctors and an extensive number of private hospitals where you want to receive treatment. As well as being able to choose the hospital where you want to be treated, if you have to stay, you’ll have an individual room, ensuring tranquillity for you and your family. Many Caser policies offer access any specialist, no matter where you are in the world. Consult Caser's medical directory for the full list of extensive and prestigious medical experts. 

2. Special coverages: In addition to coverage for primary medicine and some medical specialties, many private insurance policies include special covers that complement your insurance. These can include oral treatments, pharmacy cover, podiatry, etc. 

3. Reduced waiting lists: One of the main complaints about the Spanish public healthcare system is wait times. There are times when a diagnostic test or the results of a medical test can take longer than expected, to the detriment of the patient. When you need the services of a specialist, the wait should be minimal. With private healthcare, you can have a consultation with a specialist, with the benefits of a shorter waiting list and personal attention. 

4. Dental insurance: Many private healthcare plans include dental insurance, and others give you the opportunity to add dental as a special add-on. It’s a good idea to evaluate these types of policies, since they can give very significant discounts on dental treatments. 

5. Doctors that speak your language: A big concern of expats is making sure that they are understood. If you don't speak Spanish fluently, or are worried about conversing comfortably with your doctor, you may want to consider a doctor that speaks your language. With Caser private insurance, you can filter experts by the language they speak and take your pick!

Caser Expat Insurance private health care plans

Caser has 7 private health care in Spain plans of varying coverage. Some feature co-payments or reimbursement, while some offer full coverage. Consult the list below to see which one fits your needs. 

• Inicia: With affordable premiums and copayments, it’s the perfect option for first-time policyholders. With Inicia, you can stick to a low budget, but also get access to specialists without a prior prescription and receive €100 in dental expenses.
• Médica: A policy that works as a complement to Social Security insurance. It's a great family plan and the first ten copayments per person are free of charge.
• Activa: If you are young, lead an active life, and want coverage on a pay-as-you-go basis, this is the right plan for you. You'll have access to medical specialists, diagnostic tests, and up to €100 in dental treatments.
• Integral: This is a family insurance plan with few copayments. Integral offers a range of coverages, including 20 psychology sessions per year and a dental add-on that offers 14 free basic services and a price cap on other services. You'll keep your family’s health and dental care in tip-top shape.
• Adapta + Sonrisa Esencial: Comprehensive insurance with dental cover and zero copayments, no extra costs and complete peace of mind.  This plan is perfect to merge extensive health insurance with comprehensive dental insurance.
• Prestigio: Premium insurance for expats that need a comprehensive healthcare plan that offers worldwide cover and personalised assistance. After you initially take care of the expenses, we will reimburse you with up to 90% of the costs, with no copayments required.

If you're moving to Spain, you need to consider all the factors that come with maintaining your health and well-being. If you need more information about our health plans, download the free guide below: