Private medical insurance. Any positives?

I've found ASSSA to be very good. I mostly use the excellent Spanish health system, but have called on their services to see an eye specialist because I have glaucoma in the family. Used San Carlos private hospital in Denia, very good.

I used ASSSA for my residency application. https://www.asssa.es/en/

Social is brilliant here but I use private, I use DKV, they along with Sanitas (UK's Bupa) are the main two, personally I found Sanitas abit too pushy in selling even though they were like €50 cheaper. I chose DKV because they were €200 cheaper than Asssa, the girl spoke near perfect English and cover everything. 

It's all down to personal opinion though, best to call each of them up, ask as many questions as you can, get them to explain the terms and conditions.

If possible take out the highest level of cover available. 3 years ago we took middle level of cover with Salus who have been excellent but husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer aged 57. It covers all scans, tests and the removal of his kidney, but doesn’t cover chemotherapy which we were told could run into tens of thousands of euros. Fortunately so far he hasn’t needed it. Now it’s a pre-existing condition he can’t change to the higher policy ( I have been able to ) . I don’t want to scare you obviously but it’s good to have the facts. Also I think the higher level would give cover for replacement hips , knees, pacemakers etc but need to check that. We took our policies out with Alfonso from Gran Alacant Insurance, he was very highly recommended on this forum and his help has been invaluable.

My partner and I have been with DKV for 4 years and have no complaints. They have never refused to meet the costs of any treatments. Just remember for residency purposes the insurance cover you choose must have full cover with no copayment. The full cost of prescriptions must be met by you. Once you have been officially resident in Spain for one year you can apply to join the Convenio Especial, which if approved, will give you full access to the same health cover as Spanish citizens. The current cost is €60 per month if you are aged under 65 and €157 per month aged 65 and over. You still have to meet the full cost of prescriptions with the exception of drugs that are only dispensed by a hospital Pharmacy. The following link will provide you with full details and how to apply to join the Convenio Especial.

https://www.gva.es/es/inicio/procedimientos?id_proc=17044

if you can afford it - go private.

You will get better care, faster appointments, more professionalism as it is a "for profit" enterprise rather than a "all for one".

France and the UK are good examples of how state run health care services fall short.

Although I agree with you about going private Spanish social care is very good

We took salus through Alfonso also…so far they have been better than the doctors in Sydney at bothering to do more than say “take Panadol forte “