Friday, June 06, 2008

Changes to Health Care entitlement

Apparently the British Government have been slow in settling the health bills run up by citizens under the Europe wide reciprocal agreement. As a result of which, Valencia's health budget is severely over stretched by EU citizens claiming free health care.

The community's health minister, Manuel Cervera, therefore made an announcement yesterday which will affect British residents who have a SIP card by virtue of a "Newcastle Letter". These letters were obtained from the Overseas Benefits Office at the Department of Works and Pension, Newcastle. They allowed citizens without either a E121 or a E106 to get free health care here in Spain. The letter and the SIP card had to be renewed each year. Current SIP cards obtained by this method will be honoured but not renewed once they expire.

Those people who have an E106 ( valid for 2 years after leaving the UK) or who have an E121 (pensioners or their dependents) will not be affected.

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