im just back from benidorm and had to visit the doctor. i went to the private clinic (next to the rosaire i think it was). I paid 50 euro just to see him and another 15 for my prescription and injection. Well Worth it though as he solved my problems straight away - suncream allergy!!

Hi Bev,
Did you have your E111 card as when we went we only paid for our prescriptions, not the consultation. We went to the clinic across the road from Chino Wendy/Icelands foods just by the Tabaccos shop. That's a free clininc as long as you take your card with you.

Sorry I can't remember the name of the street but it's down past the Dynastic on the right, there is a banco on the corner.

Sorry I can't remember the name of the street but it's down past the Dynastic on the right, there is a banco on the corner.

Calle Juan Fuster Zaragoza ?

SanJi

I knew I could rely on you Sanji.

Cheated cos I know the street where the Tabacos is.

sanji x

yeah i had that new card for the e111 with me but they told me that they dont accept it. At the time i didnt care, i just needed to go to the closest clinic as i couldnt walk far! The rep wasnt much use in giving me advice but hey!

I agree, our rep told us to go to that one, but Sandra, the lady who was taking bookings for the scuba diving (at Flamingo Oasis-big thanks)told us we would have to pay at that one regardless off the E111, so she headed us off in the direction of the free one.

Did they say why they would not accept the E111 Card? What is the point of such a card if it is declined? I was under the impression that it was universally accepted within the EU?

the new EHIC card will get you the same treatment as a local at the same price a local pays.
if they get free treatment in hospital or doctor, so will you.
if they pay reduced prices, so will you.
however, as this doctor seems to be in private practise, he will charge all patients what he likes and so the EHIC card will not help.
this is one reason for finding out about your location before you go, ie where is nearest "nhs type" hospital.

BHIC wrote:

Did they say why they would not accept the E111 Card? What is the point of such a card if it is declined? I was under the impression that it was universally accepted within the EU?

To obtain free or reduced cost medical attention under EHIC reciprocal healthcare arrangements, you would have to consult a practitioner who works within the Spanish state health service. You would also have to ensure that your consultation takes place during the surgery times allotted for state health service patients, as even in some state health service clinics and hospitals, separate surgery times are held for private patients and if you are treated during those hours, your EHIC may not be accepted.

Likewise, if you consult a practitioner working wholly in the private sector, you will be be expected to pay for treatment, and may not be reimbursed by your travel insurer unless specifically referred to that practitioner by them.

It is because of the limited services available under EHIC healthcare arrangements that we always say that it should not be regarded as an alternative to a travel insurance policy. But you can't afford to disregard the EHIC either purely because of its limitations, as it may be a condition of your travel policy that you first try to obtain healthcare under the terms of the EHIC scheme, before using your travel policy to obtain treatment.

For our EHIC information and Q&As topic, please click here and feel free to post any general questions about the EHIC which are not specific to the Costa Blanca.

For the Department of Health advice page for Spain, please click here.

David

Many Thanks for that David. Will do.

NB: I have posted this review on HCB FaceBook 3 times to date - each time HCB has deleted the post (this shows how dishonest they are. I am presently engaging a firm of solicitors in UK who specialise in taking International Travel Insurance companies and Overseas Medical institutions to court and suing them for breach of Patient / Claimant Duty Of Care policies, Breach of Terms & Conditions, Causing undue anxiety, fear, frustration and financial worry, insighting chaos and telling lies to Patient /claimant etc. I am also lodging this complaint and asking for an investigation with: A. UK Financial OmbudsmanB. UK Spanish Consulate C. Spanish Department of HealthD. Spanish: The "consejeria de Sanidad" of Comunidad ValencianaE. UK Foreign Office F. UK Travel Insurance RegulatorsG. UK Business & Commercial Travel Press and National News PapersH. TOKIO MARINE INSURANCE / HCCI. HEALIX INTERNATIONAL LTDJ. ANCILE TRAVEL INSURANCE T/A 'YOUR TRAVEL COVER'K. UK FCAL. Etc. 15 AUGUST 2016 HCB / HOSPITAL CLINICA BENIDORM. Private Hospital - BENIDORM: Be aware of private hospitals in Spain especially this one!!! USE THE EHIC CARD and PUBLIC HOSPITALS WHICH GIVE A GREAT SERVICE. *PRIVATE HEALTHCARE IS NOT THE SAME AS UK - ITS THE OPPOSITE! HCB did not follow their PATIENT DUTY OF CARE POLICY / Protocol: A. No price lists / estimates given for treatment B. No explaination of options to treat the condition other than surgery C. No suggestion of transferring me to EHIC hospital to avoid issues since HSS Insurance were reluctant to pay deposit or medical payments for treatment HCB do not tell the truth and have you stay in for longer than neccessary in order to ramp up bill. *If you have to pay any deposit (like we did, 3000 euros) to have urgent intervention surgery make sure you use a CREDIT CARD, so you can dispute payment-deposit going through if Travel Insurance try to not pay the bill! Beware of: The hospital has one ECG monitor that has faulty connections - on 4 occassions the Nurses had to fiddle with the wires to make it work. Dr Morante (surgeon, Lies, has No Patient Care manner, only interested in MONEY and his own SELF IMPORTANCE). Dr Barcelo (intensive care): She has NO PATIENT CARE at all. Arrogant and ignorant. Dr Cortes (intensive care): Good Patient Care and nice lady however she lied to me and forced me to remain in Intensive Care way past 12 hours (40+ hours). *2400 euros per dayThey want to exstrapulate as much money as possible it seems. No reinvestment into hospital - pure greed for profits.For 4 days they had no cardiologist in the hospital). Says 24/7 English Translators - another lie.*The Nursing Staff / Admin Staff are FANTASTIC