The healthcare system

[Nova]

I've just been to the doctor to request a blood test because I suspect my hypothyroidism has now worsened enough that I need medication.  I know from last time that I will be waiting at least six months for an urgent appointment with the hormone specialist if the results of my blood test confirm my suspicions.  Yet the earliest date they could give me for analisis is the 8th of November!!!!!  For a stuffing blood test???? 

So it could be a year before I have access to medication for a condition that I've already been told I will need medication for eventually!  How bloody stupid 

I'm reluctant to go private when I'm already paying for my healthcare from my salary every month, but something like this really makes me think seriously about it.  I could have something serious wrong with me and be dead before the bloody blood test!!! 

[Guanche]

Go private Nova. You know you will need it. The diagnosis is already made, all your waiting for is confirmation to start the drug treatment. So no sense in messing about waiting. I know it goes against the grain, but I wouldn't give it a second thought

[Perikles]

Yet the earliest date they could give me for analisis is the 8th of November!!!!!  For a stuffing blood test???? 

*cough* analysis  That's odd, I get one done in less than a week. Why not get the test done privately and the rest as per normal?

[Nova]

I paid for blood tests privately a couple of years ago at the green clinic and it cost me about 100€!  I figure as pay that I might as well subscribe to DkV or something and go the whole hog. Can anyone recommend a private healthcare wotsit?

[Janet]

We had Sanitas when I had pneumonia ... had only had it a month or so before I became ill. They didn't quibble. The whole thing cost around 30,000 in the end ... for the price of a premium.

[Perikles]

We had Sanitas when I had pneumonia ... had only had it a month or so before I became ill. They didn't quibble. The whole thing cost around 30,000 in the end ... for the price of a premium.

And we saved a fortune on fags afterwards. 

[Michael]

For Nova. 

[Nova]

 

[El Profesor]

I'm reluctant to go private when I'm already paying for my healthcare from my salary every month, but something like this really makes me think seriously about it.  I could have something serious wrong with me and be dead before the bloody blood test!!! 

Indeed ... people do die regularly for this reason. And the family always say they are going to sue the doctors ....
It's a shame, because the Seguridad Social does have the best doctors ...... if you have the time.

I would have thought you'd find a scheme somewhere through your work or with the sindicato. These insurance companies usually do special group offers for companies.
But in the Spanish world, everybody I know, who can, has a private health insurance ...... and those who can are usually the ones working.

I think mine partly pays for itself with the work I don't lose queuing up for 3 hours in corridors .... or it would do if I were ill more often.

DKV are definitely the best, (I used to know a guy who ran hospitals), but pricey. Apparently you find out why when you get ill.
. The others are much cheaper, I used to have DKV changed and now pay about 60% with Sanitas.

[Perikles]

But in the Spanish world, everybody I know, who can, has a private health insurance ...... and those who can are usually the ones working..

The premiums are prohibitive for the retired.