Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could give me first hand experience or advice on the cost of treatment for RA in Spain? Looking to relocate with a remote job, but keen to find out how much it would cost me with prescriptions. Currently I'm taking methotrexate injections weekly and imraldi every 2 weeks.
Many thanks in advance!
If you are moving to a job then your employer will presumably be paying your social security contributions so you will be entitled to free state healthcare?
However, I think with Spain you have to pay a proportion of prescription costs or take out private health insurance to cover these?
To give you an idea of overall costs I am in France, on MTX and Enbrel (another biologic). My pharmacy bill is €800 a month, plus costs of blood tests (70€), rheumatology visits (45€) and assorted other things. Last year my “bill” was just over 13,000€ as I had MRI’s, a CT scan and lots of physio sessions. Luckily I only had to pay a tiny amount of this!
If you don't mind me asking. What is the percentage that you have to pay? This was very useful so thank you!
France is very different from Spain. Mostly health costs are covered around 70%, although it can be lower. However they have a wonderful system for 30 chronic diseases where costs are covered 100% and RA is one of those them! However it is expensive to join the health service about 8% of your income...
Thank you so much for explaining this to me! France was another option I was looking at so it's really good to have the information!
You do know that working visas for either country could be complicated now?
Hiya,Yeah fully aware that it might be a total nightmare! I just potentially have the option so wanted to explore everything
Sorry can't help with Spain query but as we are on the same meds I wondered how you are getting on and how long you've been on them? Did you ever take hydroxychloroq too? I'm new to these so am curious, thank you
Everyone is so different with how they react to the meds etc that I wouldn't want to say anything to make you feel disheartened - I got on fine with everything and I'm slowly returning back to a normal way of life and I'm sure you will too! All the best!
Think you need professional advice as this is a bit of a minefield now post Brexit. Can your employer pay your health insurance as it’s likely to be very pricey with rheumatoid arthritis and biologics etc...
I was going to move to Portugal but gave up on it because of the healthcare costs. I would have been working so contributing to their economy, albeit self employed.
I do envy you! Enjoy your move and I hope it all falls in to place for you 🍾🍾
This sounds like it might be the same situation for me! Thank you for the reply!
Sounds like you need to get some detailed advice on costs. Maybe you can do via an "expat" website. My brother moved to Spain in Feb/March last year and is still waiting for his residency to be approved. No idea how this will work if you go post Brexit. It has become a lot more difficult and costly.
Thank you!
Have in laws who live in Spain, am advised by them -about to-get a lot more expensive for medical advice and drugs, read the ExPat columns
Thank you!
We came back in 2013 so my info/costs/percentages will be out of date but it still depends on quite a few things, such as if you're resident or own a property, the autonomous region you live in, if you (or your husband) intend to work or are retired but this might be a start expatica.com/es/healthcare/... & gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-...
Dmards
Biologic or not to biologic 
If you are on the correct Dmard/ anti tnf, Biologic, should you continue to have flares?
To biological or not to biologic
What DMARD after Methotrexate?
