Any good comprehensive policies (medical)? Would appreciate your advice. Also how do the clinics work? Do they take kindly to travelers?

Well, I'm not an expert on how clinics and hospitals deal with tourists and foreigners but I would say that it is highly recommendable to have a travel insurance, just in case.

Anyway, as far as I know, our Public Health System would take care of you in any case, though they might charge your medical insurance after caring for you.

Fernando

I travel a lot and I now always get comprehensive travel insurance. Thankfully I have not had to use it, but my parents have in a big way, and if they didn't have medical coverage they would be short many thousands of dollars.

A good place to shop for travel insurance is http://www.insuremytrip.com/

I've noticed, though, that it's a good idea to visit the web pages of the individual companies, because insuremytrip doesn't always have all the available policies. Still, it's a good place to start with comparisons.

I've been getting TravelGuard's Protect Assist coverage. It's one of the few that covers everything, including medical and trip cancellation/interruption when due to terrorism. It's expensive, though.

As for the clinics in Spain, my experiences during the 13 years I lived there were almost all positive - and with two kids, I went often! My opinion of health services in Spain is very high. I wouldn't hesitate to get medical help there whenever necessary.

I have an anecdote that corresponds to Diana's observations about health care in Spain. Last winter my aunt had a heart attack while visiting family in Aviles, Asturias, and was taken to the local hospital.

Both she and my uncle rave about the professionalism of the doctors and staff and the entire hospital system in Spain. They, however, had to pay in cash for my aunt's stay, because they failed to purchase travel health insurance, and their insurance company did not provide coverage outside of the U.S.

So, before you travel, check to see if your policy carries over to other countries, and have it in writing.!

Booklady--
Just curious, were the healthcare costs for your aunt less than they would have been in the US?

Mariposita, quite a lot less! According to my uncle the whole bill was less than the deductible she would have had to pay had she been treated for the same thing in a Miami hospital. My uncle was surprised and gratified that the costs were so very reasonable in Spain.

Check with your domestic insurance provider. Mine covers me abroad, albeit with reimbursements not direct payments. A good reason to carry several high-limit credit cards.