Some of the following may be of help and better again if you don't have to use it:-
1. When you take out any form of insurance you are fully covered until you make a claim. Am I cynical? You bet your rootin' tootin' bottom dollar; insurance companies have driven me that way. Ensure whatever special insurance you need is highlighted by the insurers - you probably know this already.
2. Your EHIC card is your best friend and it's free. If you or your wife need emergency medical treatment your local Céntro Médico will attend to you free of charge. Bring your passports if attending. Note some Céntro Médicos are privately run and you will be charged. But, nearly every resort will have an official Céntro Médico. The EHIC card is valid for 3 months from your date of arrival (I note you intend to stay for 6 months). But, if you can split your stay to 2x3months stays you might save a few bob.
3. (a) Spaniards and expats tend to visit the local farmacía (free) before considering a visit to the doctor. You can get many medical drugs over the counter without prescription in Spain. Your Spanish pharmacist is now your 2nd best friend. Is your cost insured?
(b) If your are supplied a prescription by the Céntro Médico your prescription bill will be much less (don't query, take the reduction).
4. I don't know your wife's medical condition or its complexities. If you don't speak good Spanish (I mean good Spanish not per your travel guide book) you might need a translator. Likely, you'll use an agency, but are you covered by your insurance? - Talk to the insurers. Note translators usually want money up front and without receipt. You heard it here first!
5. Most Céntro Médicos have somebody who'll speak some English and usually they can help. But, if your wife has a serious complicated medical condition you'll need a translator if the doctor doesn't speak English.
6. Nuclear Option:- Your wife needs hospital treatment in Spain. Check in, get a bed, get fed then med - Not that easy. Likely, you don't need a translator at this stage. If your hospital doctor doesn't speak English you'll need a translator on leaving the hospital. Prescribed drugs will be much cheaper when presented later at your farmacía.
7. Hospital Stay:- Keep a written account or get your wife to do it of day to day "activities" including food, tests, x-rays, visits from consultant/hospital doctor.
8. Your wife may be the only non Spanish speaking patient in the ward. Boredom can set it. Books and a transistor radio/mobile phone my alleviate this. Some patients want a bed near a window; others want one by the door etc. Spaniards are not shy about asking your wife to be shifted within or without the ward to the favour of their hospitalised relative. You heard this here first too! It can be daunting for a patient who doesn't understand the Spanish way of life including loud talk, waving of hands, sneering faces etc. Remember every local is much sicker than your wife whether you like it or not.
9. The patient must eat and drink and take medicine, get blood tests, need x-rays, consultation etc. Does your insurance cover all of these. I can nearly hear you saying "FOOD?" - Don't be surprised if you are presented with a bill on departure from the hospital with the food bill (including tea, coffee, light refreshments, biscuits, sweets).
10. Ambulance:- Does your insurance cover you for full services of all the paramedics/nurses/drivers? . . . . the transport to hospital? Ensure you get written full information from your insurers.
11. By-the-Way:- If your wife needs warfarin or a warfarin test, note some pharmacías provide the service at a cost of around €15.00. You email or phone the warfarin clinic in Ireland when you get the result a few hours later and you will be advised how much to take (free).
Feel free to ask any questions.
