Posted: Fri Oct 6, 2017 12:21pm
Hi Jeanette
It sounds like your translator is getting confused and giving you the cost to pay into the social security system.
You can only go on the convenio especial if you've been resident here for twelve months. Some people take this to mean that you need to have had residencia for twelve months - I disagree - Valencia don't say that you need a residencia certificate.
The cost isn't even €90 - it's €60 if you're aged less than 65. If you're 65 or over it jumps up to €157. You will however have to pay for any prescriptions.
Once you're in the system you can ask to be taken on at any doctor's surgery and, if there are several doctors, ask for the one you prefer. They're not obliged to take you on, but I've not yet heard of anyone being refused.
The following web page in English, with links to the application form and direct debit mandate, which you can fill in online then print, on a quick look seems to still be topical:
http://learn-aprender.com/groups/the-convenio-especial-buy-in-to-state-healthcare-in-spain/
This is the Valencian 'what's it all about, Alfie?' web page, again with links to the forms:
http://www.gva.es/es/inicio/procedimientos?id_proc=17044&version=amp
If you're using Google Chrome as your browser, you can right-click a blank area on the page and select the option to translate it. It won't be a perfect translation, but should be reasonable enough to understand.