EU tackles Spain over hospitals' refusals to accept European Health Card (EHIC)

[Janet]

There have been several reports of a valid EHIC – European Health Card – being refused in Spanish hospitals with a credit card demanded in its place, and with patients told to reclaim the money on their insurance. Now, the EU is taking legal action against Spain over the flouting of regulations that require the card to be accepted. The EU Commission has formally asked Spain for comment, a required first step for a legal process which could eventually lead to a sanction. This is thus confirmation that the cards must be accepted, and so if anyone finds theirs refused, they should ensure that the rejection is officially recorded.

The EHIC is explained by the EU HERE. It is a free card that provides access for EU nationals to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary visit to any other EU country, as well as Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Treatment or medication is free for the patient at the point of use, with costs reclaimed by the visited nation from the home country of the patient. JA

[Michael]

What constitutes 'officially recorded'?

[Janet]

formal complaint in some way.

[Janet]

The Beeb is reporting it HERE. It says:

The Commission says it has had hundreds of such complaints concerning Spain. ... [including from] the UK Foreign Office and insurance companies in several European countries.

So I would think report it anywhere where such a record will be kept of the incident.

[Janet]

With regard specifically to Tenerife, someone has asked on my website which ones should be accepting your EHIC card. It's a good question. I've replied, and thought it might be useful to replicate:

My understanding is that El Mojón, above Los Cristianos, which is a state hospital, should accept the cards without question. It is currently just an A&E (and outpatient) unit, however, so any referral would be to one of the two state hospitals in the north (Candelaria and HUC – despite the name, they are both on the outskirts of Santa Cruz on the TF5). This hospital in El Mojón is the hospital that there is so much fuss about – it will eventually become the main southern Tenerife state hospital.
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There are two other main hospitals in the south, namely Hospitén Sur (the so-called “green hospital) in Playa de las Américas and the Quiron (formerly the USP) Costa Adeje in San Eugenio. The first of these is mixed: it sees casualty attendees as state patients or private, and then transfers state patients who need referral to one of the north hospitals; private patients are treated in-house. EHICs should be accepted here for initial consultations on an A&E basis. The San Eugenio hospital is fully private and I wouldn’t expect EHICs to be accepted.

[Nova]

Also any social security "centro de salud" should accept the EHIC including the "emergency doctor" at the Valdes Centre in Los Cristianos, who can then refer patients to other hospitals as appropriate.

[poker]

We never had a problem , my parents are here a lot during the year and now and then have had a minor incidents over the years and where always acepted in several certro de salud's or Mojon .

We do come and handle evrything in Spanish language , maybe if you don't this could be a problem.
Even if some docters speak english they oficcialy have to keep to spanish to avoid miscomprehension witch could lead to problematic situations or wrong medical complications .

[Janet]

Of course, the Mail has it today ... no overkill here ...

Fury as Spanish 'trick' British holidaymakers into paying for emergency healthcare ...

[Michael]

Chandra is very wary now about holidaying in Tenerife because of her failing health.

There's no bloody chance of getting her back there if she reads about this. 

[Janet]