"Me. not so much" sounds a lot like me. My husband is more meticulous. I've been to an ENT, dentist, and Physiotherapist for neck issues. Each took their time and it was direct and personal, a welcome change from the US, and it didn't break the bank. The most I paid was for a complete audiological test, just short of 200€.
Thank you for the detailed write-up and responses to comments. I find preventative measures to be a good practice (especially since I didn't really take care of myself for the 20's-30's range). I find fewer doctors want to do pap / mammo / colonoscopies as I approach 70. Kind of a mixed feeling there.
No dental insurance so I pay $400 for 2 cleanings / 2 x-rays in a year. In all the years I've had my 'pockets' measured, I've been told depth but no remedial measures except "floss".
Best wishes for a very long and healthy life to you two.
Not wishing to worry you overmuch but colonoscopy is not indicated for over 70's unless there is a problem that needs investigation. The reason being that the bowel is thinner and there is an increased risk of rupture.
Hi Nancy, can I ask please; what is the “ helmacult” route? I’m from the UK and I had some blood tests done last year at a private clinic in Óbidos and the blood tests alone were €180. GP appointment was €40. Can I ask which clinic you attended please? I’m struggling a bit to navigate the healthcare system in Portugal.
A hemacult is testing a collection of fecal matter for blood.
Do you have private health insurance? You may want to compare plans. Mos carriers offer a bare minimum, base and superior plan. Sounds lie you need to loo at your options..
Another well written helpful post. We had excellent care for our 3 1/2 years in Pt. Unfortunately, a significant diagnosis was missed, but it might have happened anywhere. Some of our friends had amazing treatment. But, it’s complicated and there are medical deserts in Portugal’s overstressed public system. It is important for people to research what is available in the area where they want to live. The “dream home” n the mountains or on the coast, maybe more than 30 minutes from good emergency care. You don’t need it, until you do. The quality of care is general good,; the availability and navigation is a crapshoot
Thanks for sharing Nancy. I am not surprised with Denise wanting to keep regular exams, and other health markers. Question because I am unfamiliar; once a person becomes a resident of Portugal, and has access to the public healthcare system, plus optional private healthcare insurance, do the insurance companies exclude any pre-existing conditions?
We get a group rate with Alianz through AFPOP. It costs about 25% of what medicare would have cost in the Old Country. Major surgery last year we paid 1,000 of the total 10K euro bill which included 4 days recupe in the hospital.
The biggest problem is with language. It's about 50/50 communicating with nurses, techs and receptionists. I had two scheduled doctor appointments and they refused to talk to me because of my limited Portuguese. My surgeon did a three year residency at the Mayo Clinic... he spent an hour and a half with us for the consultation and came to check on me three times a day in the hospital.
All the nurses and techs I habe encountered spoke more English than I spoke portuguese. And i know enough to het by with non-english speaking receptionists
Private…we are under the NHR tax scheme and as auch have never paid taxes to support te public system. Though we could receive public services, we feel it is unfair to burden a system we have not paid into. Also we can easily afford the private system.
Curious, did you drop Medicare Part B? My Portuguese attorney doesn´t think that it is a good idea to drop it just in case you want to return to the US. It could take up to six months to get back on the Part B plan once you return to the US. I don´t plan to return, but you never know what circumstances could come up in the future. Obrigada!
Love and appreciate this breakdown of costs. It’s so fascinating to see what different countries charge, especially as you find out more about how their systems work.
One complaint from expats in Denmark, you have to make an appointment for everything. There is no emailing your doctor for a quick question ( we tried this to verify whether or not we had to make an ophthalmology appointment for our 8 year old, only to be told we had to call in to the drop-in clinic. The doctor at the drop in clinic then chastised us for wasting his time). I suspected this requirement exists so the clinic can charge for the consultation—I had this verified recently but was moderately horrified to discover all GP clinics here are paid the same whether your appointment is 15 minutes or 60 minutes…so of course, the clinics do volume over quality.
Incidentally, the amount a GP is reimbursed for that 15 or 60 minute appointment? The equivalent of $25 USD.
Glad Denise is all good! Please do the same for yourself so we can greedily enjoy more of your writing.
One of the ice things about my GP is her willingness to respond to emails. When I need a refill of my daily medication she simply sends me an electronic script always within 48 hrs.
We miss that, as well as the best practice of relaying information to another practitioner. Recently my partner had to renew a prescription that has been a 90 day term. His doctor who had been managing his care had left the practice, and he was assigned to someone else--who, when they got to the appointment, had no case notes, no patient information, and rather than listen to the past experience, unilaterally refused to do anything other than renew for 30 days.
Some scrips will show up on your Saude site, which is a good idea to register in, even if you don't use it. We don't for the same reasons as you. We use CUF. Scrips are posted there.
Maybe it's because we're in Matosinhos, near the big city.
When we lived in Lisbon, we used CUF with our MGEN insurance. Their app and online account system was really helpful. We recently moved to Braga, and have been going to Hospital Lusíadas, and they have a similar online system and app. Very handy.
At the time of your appointment with your doc, I've found it helpful to ask for enough prescriptions to cover as long as the doc is willing to go. Otherwise, might only get a couple of months. In many cases the doc may only be willing to go a couple of months, and then want to see you again for a followup, which makes sense.
Good article Nancy. I just had my colonoscopy in Coimbra. 84€. Great service!
Elke went to our local dentist last summer for a cleaning, he looked in Her mouth and said your teeth are clean enough! Ok, see you in a year.
I really value your posts. So much practical information with much-needed reality checks. Thanks for sharing your impressions and experiences.
"Me. not so much" sounds a lot like me. My husband is more meticulous. I've been to an ENT, dentist, and Physiotherapist for neck issues. Each took their time and it was direct and personal, a welcome change from the US, and it didn't break the bank. The most I paid was for a complete audiological test, just short of 200€.
useful. Thank you.
Thank you for the detailed write-up and responses to comments. I find preventative measures to be a good practice (especially since I didn't really take care of myself for the 20's-30's range). I find fewer doctors want to do pap / mammo / colonoscopies as I approach 70. Kind of a mixed feeling there.
No dental insurance so I pay $400 for 2 cleanings / 2 x-rays in a year. In all the years I've had my 'pockets' measured, I've been told depth but no remedial measures except "floss".
Best wishes for a very long and healthy life to you two.
Not wishing to worry you overmuch but colonoscopy is not indicated for over 70's unless there is a problem that needs investigation. The reason being that the bowel is thinner and there is an increased risk of rupture.
Yeah! I will make sure Denise knows this as she keeps bugging me about it.
Hi Nancy, can I ask please; what is the “ helmacult” route? I’m from the UK and I had some blood tests done last year at a private clinic in Óbidos and the blood tests alone were €180. GP appointment was €40. Can I ask which clinic you attended please? I’m struggling a bit to navigate the healthcare system in Portugal.
A hemacult is testing a collection of fecal matter for blood.
Do you have private health insurance? You may want to compare plans. Mos carriers offer a bare minimum, base and superior plan. Sounds lie you need to loo at your options..
I was wondering if you went to Clinimed in Obidos ?
Yes, I went to Clinimed
I like their clinic a lot but they take no insurance and you have to get reimbursed…in case anyone else needs to know…😎🤷♀️
Another well written helpful post. We had excellent care for our 3 1/2 years in Pt. Unfortunately, a significant diagnosis was missed, but it might have happened anywhere. Some of our friends had amazing treatment. But, it’s complicated and there are medical deserts in Portugal’s overstressed public system. It is important for people to research what is available in the area where they want to live. The “dream home” n the mountains or on the coast, maybe more than 30 minutes from good emergency care. You don’t need it, until you do. The quality of care is general good,; the availability and navigation is a crapshoot
I think you’re a really good writer. Such interesting topics and valuable information. Thank you, Nancy.
Thank you
Thanks for sharing Nancy. I am not surprised with Denise wanting to keep regular exams, and other health markers. Question because I am unfamiliar; once a person becomes a resident of Portugal, and has access to the public healthcare system, plus optional private healthcare insurance, do the insurance companies exclude any pre-existing conditions?
Not the public system…private carriers may exclude pre-existing conditions during all or part of the first year.
Yes, I went to Clinimed.
We get a group rate with Alianz through AFPOP. It costs about 25% of what medicare would have cost in the Old Country. Major surgery last year we paid 1,000 of the total 10K euro bill which included 4 days recupe in the hospital.
The biggest problem is with language. It's about 50/50 communicating with nurses, techs and receptionists. I had two scheduled doctor appointments and they refused to talk to me because of my limited Portuguese. My surgeon did a three year residency at the Mayo Clinic... he spent an hour and a half with us for the consultation and came to check on me three times a day in the hospital.
All the nurses and techs I habe encountered spoke more English than I spoke portuguese. And i know enough to het by with non-english speaking receptionists
Hey Nancy! Forgive me if i missed it, but were you and Denise navigating within Portugal’s public or private health care system?
Private…we are under the NHR tax scheme and as auch have never paid taxes to support te public system. Though we could receive public services, we feel it is unfair to burden a system we have not paid into. Also we can easily afford the private system.
Absolutely, our sentiments exactly. Our closest private is in Alvor (a 25 min drive from Lagos).
Sounds like you guys have had a real sampling of the privates. Thanks for the clarity!
Curious, did you drop Medicare Part B? My Portuguese attorney doesn´t think that it is a good idea to drop it just in case you want to return to the US. It could take up to six months to get back on the Part B plan once you return to the US. I don´t plan to return, but you never know what circumstances could come up in the future. Obrigada!
We did drop it once we decided not to return. It funds most of our private insurance premium.
I was going to ask the same question! Still haven't dropped it but seriously considering doing so.
Love and appreciate this breakdown of costs. It’s so fascinating to see what different countries charge, especially as you find out more about how their systems work.
One complaint from expats in Denmark, you have to make an appointment for everything. There is no emailing your doctor for a quick question ( we tried this to verify whether or not we had to make an ophthalmology appointment for our 8 year old, only to be told we had to call in to the drop-in clinic. The doctor at the drop in clinic then chastised us for wasting his time). I suspected this requirement exists so the clinic can charge for the consultation—I had this verified recently but was moderately horrified to discover all GP clinics here are paid the same whether your appointment is 15 minutes or 60 minutes…so of course, the clinics do volume over quality.
Incidentally, the amount a GP is reimbursed for that 15 or 60 minute appointment? The equivalent of $25 USD.
Glad Denise is all good! Please do the same for yourself so we can greedily enjoy more of your writing.
One of the ice things about my GP is her willingness to respond to emails. When I need a refill of my daily medication she simply sends me an electronic script always within 48 hrs.
Just fyi. We walked in to the clinic to get a prescription extended and it cost us 8€. I guess we need to get our Drs e-mail.
We miss that, as well as the best practice of relaying information to another practitioner. Recently my partner had to renew a prescription that has been a 90 day term. His doctor who had been managing his care had left the practice, and he was assigned to someone else--who, when they got to the appointment, had no case notes, no patient information, and rather than listen to the past experience, unilaterally refused to do anything other than renew for 30 days.
Some scrips will show up on your Saude site, which is a good idea to register in, even if you don't use it. We don't for the same reasons as you. We use CUF. Scrips are posted there.
Maybe it's because we're in Matosinhos, near the big city.
When we lived in Lisbon, we used CUF with our MGEN insurance. Their app and online account system was really helpful. We recently moved to Braga, and have been going to Hospital Lusíadas, and they have a similar online system and app. Very handy.
At the time of your appointment with your doc, I've found it helpful to ask for enough prescriptions to cover as long as the doc is willing to go. Otherwise, might only get a couple of months. In many cases the doc may only be willing to go a couple of months, and then want to see you again for a followup, which makes sense.
We loved CUF’s app too. HPAA, the Algarve app, is okay but not as complete as CUFs.