Understanding healthcare in Portugal – Part 2

Crystal Murno

In the previous article we shared information about the differences between public and private healthcare in Portugal. Many residents take advantage of both systems to optimize their health in a way that is cost effective.

How to utilize both public and private healthcare
In the event of an emergency, it is important to note the emergency number is 112 and when you call, they will take you to the nearest public hospital. Any time you have an emergency, such as symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, it is always best to seek emergency services at a public hospital because they have around the clock access to resources which is not always the case for a private hospital. If you go to a private establishment and need to be hospitalized or need an emergency surgery, they may transfer you to a public hospital.
For this reason, it is advised to get into the public system as soon as you have your residency. If you take any daily medications or require regular lab work for a chronic condition, you should visit the local Centro de Saúde to apply for your Número de Utente and to schedule an appointment with a general physician. When you go to your appointment, just ask for whatever it is that you need. They will order whatever exams and medications that you need if you explain your history and the reasons why.
There is an application that is very helpful to have on your mobile phone, it is called SNS24. This is helpful to keep your health records in one place, including your e-scripts from the public physician. The e-script program in Portugal is a very effective public program and even if you see a private physician, many times they work in the public sector as well and can send your script through the public e-script system so your medication will be low- or no-cost to you.
Private hospitals are a great option for non-urgent care, like a urinary tract infection or a lingering cough that may need medication and you cannot wait for an appointment at the Centro de Saúde. Private specialists for elective surgeries are also an effective way to use the private system. You may have back pain from a degenerative disc disease or need a hip replacement and working with a private specialist may help to make the process an easier and quicker one than if you were to go through the public system.
CUF, Luz, Lusiadas, and TrofaSaude are large hospital systems in Portugal. There are many smaller private clinics and diagnostic centers in and around Caldas Da Rainha, such as Clinimed and Germano de Sousa. However, the most central private hospital in Caldas Da Rainha is Montepio Rainha Dona Leonor.
One valuable resource for foreigners who may be experiencing mild symptoms are pharmacists. By going to the local farmácia, speaking to a pharmacist about your symptoms, and taking the medication they recommend you may alleviate the need for a medical consultation. Just remember that if your symptoms do not improve or worsen, it is important to be seen by a physician. Pharmacies take turns remaining open for 24 hours so you are able to access a pharmacist at any time. www.farmaciasdeservico.info is the website where you can find which local pharmacy is open after hours.
Lastly, if the thought of trying to navigate both systems is a daunting task, there are medical concierge services who can recommend physicians and facilities for you, make appointments for you, and even attend appointments with you. Hopefully, with the information in this article, you will feel like you can make informed decisions about your medical needs. ■