Finding a Doctor

[BobT]

We started cover with Exeter from the the end of last year. It's expensive, but hopefully well worth it. I have just started having chiropractic tratment for a bad back, and they are paying.

[Debs G]

Thanks Clare and Bob, I will get a quote from Exeter. I would prefer to have some kind of private cover if the health system isn't all that great. Better to be safe and all that, especially with 2 very young kids.

[steve]

I have never had to use the private hospitals here (and naturally hope to continue not to) but I have paid for and reclaimed from my private health company for one minor surgical procedure, blood tests, Xrays, a bone density scan and a mammogram. Luckily mostly not for me.

These sort of tests are conducted in the local clinics which abound in Portimao although we had to go up to Lisbon for one of the more sophisticated tests. These clinics don't look much from the outside but the have the necessary euipment, you can get a fairly quick appointment and the charges for private patients are not expensive. As an example my wife saw a top rheumotology specialist. 2 consultations totalled 125 euros and 8 xrays for the feet and ankles cost 120 euros. This is much cheaper than UK private patient charges.

Having worked in the Public Sector I have always had CS Healthcare private health insurance and have found it comprehensive and good value for money. This is only open to past or present Civil Servants, local authority employees and the former nationalised industies. There is no problem with cover in Portugal but unlike the UK you have to pay for treatment and reclaim the costs.

I friend of mine here has taken out a limited but cheap form of cover via AFPOP and I saw an article in the Portugal News last week which offered readers a limited but discounted private health scheme. Importantly both of these are acceptable to the Portuguese authorities for the purposes of applying for a residencia if you have to evidence that you have private health cover.

[Guest]

private healthcare is a ‘perk’ offered by employers, which is subsidised by the government, as it takes the strain off the state healthcare system, but – secretly – its a way for them (the employers) to keep an eye on their employees: they can’t skive off work for the day, saying they have been waiting to see a doctor. for expats in the algarve it mean more comfortable facilities (sometimes), less of a wait (usually), people who speak your language (although most of the staff in the state system speak English [as students, their medical text books are in English]) and considerably more expense. for those who have to work for a living, time is money / for those who don’t, time saves money.

[Guest]

I was on a waiting list in England for over two years for a minor hernia operation. I moved to Algarve, and had the operation (free of charge) within two months of being here. Why? Not because there is a better system here with more money and a shorter waiting list, no, but because the operation was paid for by the English NHS.

[digger]

….steady on….the fascist Daily Mail brigade may be watching…..

[BobT]

Forgot to metntion, about offsetting health insurance costs, against income tax. If you are already or are planning to become a resident, then you can use offset 100% of your medical insurance costs against your income, when completing your IRS tax return here.So, if you have a taxable income, then you can effectivly reduce your health insurance costs by 40%.

[Just KIdding]

The Doctor behind Smilers bar is German but speaks excellent English. You may leave minus a few limbs as he charges an arm and a leg

A doctor behind the bar? Mmmmm I thought being a doc paid well enough..........

[Ellie]

I think I went to him once..with injured knee...was it Dr Pain? or something like that ? dont remember spelling.i was alright after about a week..I think

[digger]

did he fix you a martini...ellie..?....for medicinal purposes....of course...

[Ellie]

I dont exactly recall Digger(I was in lotta 'pain' )..I know he gave me a shot of something....just to 'steady' me you understand(while I leaned on the bar )
He did say Id be okay in about a week......and to call back..if my knee needed anymore attention..........

[Clare]

Does anyone know if there is an MRI scanner in the Algarve? Various other tests have been mentioned but no-one has mentioned this? Also is there a Dexa scanner for osteoporosis?
Thank you
Clare

[digger]

Hi Clare....I can't answer your question, but I do know that lots of people have to go up to Lisbon for various tests/consultations.....but that's not far to travel these days......Steve mentioned this....

[digger]

he gave me a shot of something....just to 'steady' me you understand(while I leaned on the bar )

…did it have an umbrella in it…..do you remember?…

[Ellie]

I dont remember an umbrella in it Digger.....but I did have one with me..used it 'Portuguese style' as a parasol
You think Im joking dont you ? ...but Im sure that was his name(Pain) though Ive probably spelt it wrong
But getting back to doctors...I met a man in CVO (last Sept.)...who went to the clinic (above Colombos ?)...said Portuguese lady doctor there whos a bit of a tartar..very strict etc...
would I be right in thinking..Im sure he said he paid equivalent of 10 quid(whats that in Euros...15?)...to see her....