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Portuguese national health system

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expattobe26
  2/18/2018 10:41 EST

Is it possible to get into the Portuguese national health care system as a permanent resident? I am not eligible for one of the private international plans due to a pre-existing condition.

craigandmicki
  2/18/2018 11:20 EST

To expatobe26's question about PT NHS and a pre-existing condition: Unless you have paid into the Portuguese social security system or are an EU citizen you will never have FULL access to the national insurance coverage. Are you American? Pre-existing conditions don't rule out access to private medical insurance. Treatment of a pre-existing condition might limit your coverage of expenses related specifically to that condition unless you submit proof that you've been insured elsewhere while getting treatment for that condition.

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expattobe26
  2/18/2018 11:39 EST

I checked with CIGNA for plans for Portugal and Spain. They will not sell a policy to anyone with HIV. I keep hoping that some countries sell plans on the private market to expats that require the plans to cover HIV and pre-existing conditions -- like the plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges in the U.S.

realspear
  2/18/2018 12:27 EST

I have been told by one insurer (Medal via AFPOP) that they will cover pre-existing conditions if you have had continuous coverage. I do not know if there are limitations requiring specific conditions. If you still have your US health insurance, you can pull your documentation and give it to the new insurer.

craigandmicki
  2/18/2018 13:05 EST

expatobe26....you want to check with providers who focus on Portugal (or Spain, if that is your destination). If you go to www.afpop.com, then find Medal (an insurance broker), contact them about your requirements. I refer you to them because their rates are GROUP rates and much lower...by half...than the plans provided in Portugal by the banks. In Portugal, your health coverage providers are Medis, Allianz, Rede and Victoria as the best plans, best value.

expattobe26
  2/18/2018 13:10 EST

Huge thanks.

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whatsnext
  2/19/2018 13:49 EST

So, now I'm just curious. If a US citizen who does not ever work in PT or the EU gets dual US/PT citizenship, is the PT NHS then available? Or is it entirely based on paying into the system, similar to the US Social Security system?

craigandmicki
  2/20/2018 05:41 EST

To 'whatsnext's' question about NHS: Yes, if one becomes a citizen of Portugal, one will have full access to the national health services.

sepharad
  2/20/2018 09:52 EST

I opened a prestige bank account with Millenium. I am a diabetic, use insulin, 59, obese. They picked me up. It cost half of what COBRA was in the US. Don't give up trying yet.

sepharad
  2/20/2018 09:54 EST

Apologies for not including the insurer. It was Medis. About $6,700 for a year of very full coverage. In the US no insurer would pick a person like me up.

expattobe26
  2/20/2018 10:42 EST

Thanks! Just to clarify: You got a health insurance in the Portuguese private market under Portuguese law regulating health insurance policies? Do you have permanent residency in Portugal?

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Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.
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cruizes
  2/25/2018 21:55 EST

If you don’t mind me asking how much did it cost you. A person I know in Lisbon said that they paid about €500 annually with Millilium Bank.

dancebert
  3/4/2018 03:43 EST

@expattobe26

I've read variations saying it's available to 'citizens', 'permanent residents', 'residents', those with a 'residence permit' and those with a 'temporary residence permit'. I've yet to see a link to a government site.

Here is one for the Entidade Reguladora da Saude (ERS), the Portuguese Health Regulatory Entity. The page title is 'Access to Health Care by Foreign Citizens': https://www.ers.pt/pages/438?news_id=1203 It has English and Portuguese versions of the same document. The right hand column is labeled 'Third-country national citizen not covered by a bilateral agreement'. In that group:

Who? [is eligible for SNS health care] "Citizens with a residence/permanence permit or work visa in Portugal" Clearly 'Citizens' refers to third country citizens, NOT citizens of Portugal.

What kind of health care? "All health care under the same conditions of the national citizen"

How much do you pay? "User fees in accordance with the Portuguese law"

expattobe26
  3/4/2018 06:36 EST

Thank you. We are planning an "informational visit" to the Portuguese Consulate here in DC to get some concrete information in health care and residency.

craigandmicki
  3/4/2018 08:17 EST

To "expattobe26's post about an informational visit with Dina Silva at the DC Consulate: When you are there, could you please ask her: (1) Recently, applicants for the PT Visa are being asked to provide contact info of someone they know in Portugal: why? what info is required? what is done with the info? (2) Schengen Community regulations state that we, as third country nationals, need private health care for our entire duration of residency in Portugal: is this correct, or has it changed? When did it change and in what ways? (3) Regulations state that a person can not be absent from PT for more than 6 consecutive months during any period for which their current Permit is valid, without proof of professional or personal necessity: How does one prove that necessity? is there a form, or a letter template? to whom and when is it submitted? THANKS in advance, looking forward to your answers if she can answer them...The consulate and SEF and other agencies don't exactly communicate with each other so she might not know. You can private message me if you prefer, at craigandmicki. Thx.

expattobe26
  3/4/2018 08:28 EST

Will do.

NearlyThere
  3/6/2018 06:57 EST

@craigandmicki -- in your question list for Ms. Silva number two caught my eye. We are just about to purchase health insurance through AFPOP/Medis to satisfy our first temp residency requirements (appointment mid-March). What changes have you heard about? We have travelers insurance with Allianz through November and wish that could cover us until, at minimum, we receive our permits. Though I believe that as soon as we become temp residents the travel insurance is no longer valid. But, if changing requirements are around the corner that would be important to know. Any thoughts or observations would be greatly appreciated. Contacting the SEF with questions can be nearly impossible, as you know. Muito obrigada in advance... (2) Schengen Community regulations state that we, as third country nationals, need private health care for our entire duration of residency in Portugal: is this correct, or has it changed? When did it change and in what ways?

craigandmicki
  3/6/2018 07:11 EST

NearlyThere: My questions for Dina Silva asked if there WAS a change...not that there IS a change. I doubt she will know, but the question has to do with the extent to which we as third country nationals residing in PT have access to the national health services. I don't want to use them; I much prefer private care. But a growing number of Americans with nothing more than a monthly social security check are moving to Portugal so, for them, not buying a private plan would help a lot. You are correct in your comments...travel plan for the initial coverage, then get Allianz or Medis.

NearlyThere
  3/6/2018 07:38 EST

Terrific, thank you *AGAIN* @craigandmicki. We will carry on with our original plan, private health insurance prior to our SEF appointment. We really appreciate you, muito obrigada...again.

modestjon
  8/4/2020 23:38 EST

I would like to move to Portugal; however my age of 78 appears to restrict my insurance coverage to the MOST EXPENSIVE international insurance available. I have no pre existing conditions (except bronchitis). is there a way around the approximately $2,000.00 a month for CIGNA or similar international health insurance?? Can't make photo thing work.

dancebert
  8/5/2020 03:27 EST

@modestjon

MGEN is the answer.

"BENEFITS
Without excluding Pandemics or Epidemics
No age limit when joining insurance
No age limit on stay
No individual aggravation in the event of an accident;
No medical questionnaire on adherence
Without excluding serious diseases
Without excluding pre-existing diseases
Without exclusion of diseases due to congenital malformation
No unilateral termination of the contract by MGEN."

You can get it directly from them - https://www.mgen.pt/index.php/portfolio-items/familias/

Or (I've read but haven't verified) if you want to deal with a middleman, you can get it through Medal brokers - www.medal.pt

Aranthama
  8/5/2020 04:19 EST

MGEN Health Insurance - At age 76, I was able to get MGEN health insurance for Portugal, written by a French company. It costs me a little over $2,000 for the YEAR, with a 3 month (I recall) waiting period on select procedures that is no big deal. I have an MGEN card which works through the AdvanceCare network insurance, and that has been accepted by every health care provider I have seen, both at private and public facilities. The MGEN insurance was written by IBEX insurance brokers, here in the Algarve. I don't know if they have offices throughout Portugual. By the way the doctors I have met here are excellent, humane, and English speaking, which resolved one of the big concerns I had about moving here.

Helene01
  8/5/2020 05:19 EST

I had IMG Patriot insurance which was about $1470/yr, with a waiting period for pre-existing of about 3 mos. I didn't need to use the insurance, and once here I got Medicare 2 through Fidelity for $189/yr . I now have signed on to the NHS, but I'm wait-listed for the location I want.. Yes, the bureaucracy is a hassle, but I think it will be worth it in the end. Best wishes.

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