I am a little bummed out and concerned about health coverage.

For a long time, my husband and I wanted to move to Italy; several reasons, quality of life, family, etc. I got my Italian citizenship earlier this year and we immediately started to plan our move sometime in the fall of 2007. Initially for a year, and if we like, then we stay permanently. My husband is retired and I stopped working so we could travel and spend more time together. We pay $800US a month in health insurance thru my husband’s old employment and it is an excellent plan although it costs a lot. We have been going back and forth between Italy and Spain, and sort of decided to try Spain. Here is the big issue: According to my relatives in Spain and the Spanish Consulate in Miami, we can’t enroll to the Spanish Nat’l Health system because we do not work nor are Spanish citizens. We could buy private insurance and be set. But all the insurances I have looked so far do not cover pre-existing condition. I had breast cancer in 2003, although I am clean, I still have to do regular follow-ups and take preventive meds. So, I it looks like I can’t get coverage in Spain. So we are back to Italy. Based on your experiences, would I be able to enroll into the Italian National Health system with my pre-existing condition? Do they ask anything? We’ll obviously pay the 7.5% fee. Could I register with the system before I actually move? I will not let go of my current insurance until we are satisfied with the system and sure we’ll live there at least for a long time. I hope that my condition does not hinder our dream. Thank you so much for your help. Sandra

Health benefits for existing condition for italian citizen

Any one in Italy can pay into the system and be covered.

In addition if you really wanted to live in Spain once you're in the Italian system you could ask for the EU form [Don't know the number/name] and then take that with you to Spain.

I doubt you can register from outside of Italy.

Thanks Nick. From what I've read and been informed, the form is only good temporarily for emergencies, then once I get residency in Spain, I am on my own...For Italy, I could either rent a very small place to have an address/residency or even use one of our relatives' address, as long as it is legal to do. Not planning to register from the US. I wonder what happens with people that live 6 mos. here and 6 in Italy, are they part of the system or they get knocked-out. I want to do whatever is possible, legally.

quote:

Originally posted by Nick:
Health benefits for existing condition for italian citizen

Any one in Italy can pay into the system and be covered.

In addition if you really wanted to live in Spain once you're in the Italian system you could ask for the EU form [Don't know the number/name] and then take that with you to Spain.

I doubt you can register from outside of Italy.

quote:

Originally posted by brazitalian8984:
Thanks Nick. From what I've read and been informed, the form is only good temporarily for emergencies, then once I get residency in Spain, I am on my own...For Italy, I could either rent a very small place to have an address/residency or even use one of our relatives' address, as long as it is legal to do. Not planning to register from the US. I wonder what happens with people that live 6 mos. here and 6 in Italy, are they part of the system or they get knocked-out. I want to do whatever is possible, legally.

I don't think the first part is right. You can move permentaly within the EU and still have health coverage. But others here have done it and I'm sure they can set the info straight.

On the six month bit. The Italian payment is for the whole year. If you don't mind paying for a year and only getting six months they won't mind -)

Tks...We'll see if I get some input. OLike I said, the main concern with the Italian System is the pre-existing condition (which looks very promissing in my situation) - Don't mind paying into the system; it will definately be much less than in the US. We are willing to move to either country as long as I get coverage, hubby likes Spain because of weather, I like the central part of Italy...My heart is for Italy We'll see...

I glanced at a Spanish government website. It seems clear that a self employed person can get into the system. I couldn't figure out exactly what others would have to pay. But it seems clear non Spaniards can get into the system.

But I just looked at the English language section. Maybe it was badly translated.