Health Insurance Altea

Altea is between two hospital catchments. To the south (10 minutes): Clínica Benidorm (HCB) — a full private hospital with English-speaking departments and the regional flagship for HCB Group. To the north (30 minutes): HCB Hospital Dénia for advanced care. The public hospital is Hospital de la Marina Baixa in Villajoyosa (15 minutes). All HCB sites are full Generali network.

Yes — HCB Benidorm is a network provider on Salud Opción Premium and EXPAT Medcare Standard. Walk in with your Generali card and treatment is billed direct to the insurer. The premium tier (Prime) gives access to HCB's most exclusive consultations and private rooms. For routine outpatient care and most surgery, Standard is sufficient.

Yes — several Altea private GPs work within the Generali network and have English-speaking staff. Typical wait time for an appointment is 1-3 days. We can recommend specific practices based on your part of Altea. Telemedicine through the Generali app gives you 24/7 English-language GP access if you prefer.

For urgent but not life-threatening matters, HCB Clínica Benidorm A&E (10 minutes south) — fully covered on all Generali plans including Standard. For life-threatening emergencies, the public Hospital de la Marina Baixa Villajoyosa is closer (15 minutes) and accepts all patients regardless of insurance. Generali reimburses if you pay any private fees during an emergency where public was unavailable.

The Generali app (Spanish or English version) lists network specialists with language indicators. Our office maintains a curated English-speaker list for the Marina Alta and Marina Baixa region — call us and we'll book directly with one we know works well with British and Irish clients. Common specialties (cardiology, orthopaedics, dermatology, gynaecology) all have English-speakers in the Altea-Benidorm area.

Yes — family policies cover spouse, partner and children at a 15-25% combined discount. All members are on a single contract with one renewal date. Children under 14 are typically free on parent policies. Adult children up to 25 in full-time education can usually stay on the family policy. The Altea network access is the same for every life on the policy.

Yes — Generali Standard and Salud Opción Premium include emergency travel cover for trips abroad up to 60-90 days. For UK private treatment beyond emergencies, EXPAT Medcare Top reimburses 80% worldwide. Most British clients in Altea sit on Standard or Prime and use Generali only when in Spain — comfortable knowing emergencies abroad are covered.

Same-day in most cases. We need: date of birth, NIE/passport, current address in Altea, and a brief medical questionnaire. For Spanish-fluent clients without complex health history, the policy can be issued within 24-48 hours. Pre-existing conditions take 5-10 working days to underwrite. We work directly from our Javea office; many Altea clients visit us in person but most arrange everything by email or WhatsApp.

Yes — you don't need to be a long-term Spanish resident to get health insurance. NLV applicants and Digital Nomad Visa applicants typically have cover in place before their visa is issued. Standard waiting periods can be waived for visa applicants. EU citizens, British citizens with TIE, and other non-EU visa holders are all welcome — we work through the appropriate plan and certificate for each.

Generali plans include a pharmacy discount card with a network of partner pharmacies in Altea — typically 10-25% off. The card doesn't replace the Spanish prescription system (you still need a doctor's prescription) but discounts the cost. The Marina Alta and Marina Baixa have many partner pharmacies; the app shows nearest ones.

Cover continues unchanged — Generali plans are valid throughout Spain. Just update us with your new address so renewal correspondence reaches you correctly. The hospital network adjusts automatically; you'll have access to your new town's Generali-network providers. Many of our clients move within the Costa Blanca over time and the policy follows them seamlessly.

Yes — and continuity of cover means waiting periods served on your previous Spanish policy carry over. We need a continuity letter from your previous insurer confirming the cover dates. Some pre-existing conditions accepted by your previous insurer may need re-acceptance by Generali; we work through this case by case. Most switches are straightforward and complete within 7-14 days.