Everything you need to know about Andorra’s healthcare system and healthcare in Andorra.
Social security is considered a top priority in Andorra.
Andorra’s health service has recently been considered one of the most efficient and with the best health care in the whole European territory.
In the area of social protection, the governing body is the SAAS, which is responsible for health care.
The health care in Andorra is one of the most important points when moving to Andorra, as it is not a health care system like that of its neighboring countries Spain or France.
How healthcare works in Andorra
Health care systems are designed to make Andorra more efficient and streamlined.
A single agency controls the social and medical arrangements in the state. CASS, the Andorran Social Security Fund, is a para-public body with private legal status and financial autonomy that manages and administers public human resources. Thus, a health system becomes competent.
CASS is in charge of all issues related to health care in Andorra, social security and the country’s health care system in general.
Why does Andorra’s healthcare system work so well?
The country achieves its highest per capita economic growth rate and a high proportion of workers paying social security contributions.
This is also thanks to Andorra’s good economic system.
In addition, the healthcare system in Andorra is a co-payment system. That is to say in a health care, people who go to the doctor, to that assistance, must pay 25% of the medical bill, but the rest of the bill is paid by the health system of Andorra, i.e. the CASS.
Andorran health care prices
As we have explained, health care in Andorra works on a co-payment system. But what if I want the social security to cover all my health coverage? Is it possible?
The Andorran social security will not be the one who covers all the health coverage of the population, but those people who are interested can do it through a private insurance in the country accepted by the social security (CASS).
Health insurance depends on whether a person is Andorran or foreign. Residents covered by CASS receive discounted rates, while international visitors and non-resident clients are charged much more.
We will explain the prices below and then discuss some of the tourist cases and why travel insurance is essential.
The medical services available to a resident are provided in part by the principle of co-responsibility and co-payment. Medical insurance covers part of the entire expense, but not the entire cost. CASS covers medical expenses mainly in three categories, depending on the service provided and the amount paid.
Distribution of the Andorran health system
The healthcare system in Andorra is extensive despite being so simple.
It has a major 200-bed hospital in the capital (Hospital de Nostra Senyora de Meritxell).In Andorra there is only this hospital for the entire population of Andorra. This hospital is included in the Andorran social security and only 10% of the bill must be paid in case of hospitalization, since the costs can be higher than a visit to a health center in the Principality.
These expenses can also be passed through the private health insurance if the social security (CASS) and the private entity approve it.
Agreements with other countries
Spain and France have a bilateral agreement between Andorra on medical treatment and advice for people traveling to other places, as well as Andorran residents who need help in neighboring territories.
The Andorran Health Service and the Andorran Social Security have worked to close health agreements with Spain and France.
This allows residents of Andorra to enjoy health care in Spain and a second medical opinion in other countries using the social security offered by Andorra.
These centers where you can get a second opinion both in Spain and in other countries with which CASS has an agreement are paid for (the expenses) by CASS in Andorra.
However, you must first receive a report on your condition in a center of the Principality where all the information is established through which you can ask CASS for a second opinion from a doctor outside the Andorran Principality.
Hospitals and care centers for the elderly in Andorra
The Andorran hospital is quite large despite its size in the Principality.
In addition to the hospital Nostra Senyora de Meritxell in the Principality there are other health centers designed to cover the treatment of the elderly.
In this case there are private health centers and public health centers (as in neighboring Spain and France).
These health centers are located in a privileged environment in the Andorran Principality, surrounded by mountains.
Patients must be previously resident in Andorra or if they are foreign citizens, they must obtain residency by regrouping a worker in Andorra or a businessman and submit the form detailing the necessary treatments of the patients and any health coverage they previously had.
How do I obtain health coverage in Andorra?
If you have a medical problem in Andorra, ask the Andorran Social Security Fund for a travel document.
Approximately 91% of the people in the country have social protection. However, passive residents have no insurance and can only obtain private insurance.
National legislation prohibits passive citizens from providing social protection unless they have a work permit. All persons working in commercial activities must participate and, therefore, an important part of the residents.
It is obtained through the quality of resident in Andorra, as long as they are not unemployed. Through the workers’ regime or according to the user’s self-employed residence.
Do you need to have a private insurance in Andorra?
In Andorra private health coverage is optional and private health insurance is recommended, as it allows more insurance for social Andorrans.
According to some estimates, 25% of people are insured by their private health care provider.
Distribution of medical centers and pharmacies
Andorra has 10 major health facilities spread throughout the country, including an excellent hospital near Meritxell.
It is of good quality but some providers do not provide any care during vacations.
The department provides 24/7 urgent medical services and home services.
In terms of pharmacies, there are approximately 50 establishments despite their size. There is a large supply in the Principality of medicines and vaccines.
The pharmacy can be contacted at any time, and most stores are open during the weekend. They sell drugs that do not meet prescription requirements if they are not regulated by CASS.
What is the «referring physician»?
A special feature of the Andorran medical system is the «referring physician» or «referral physician».
Family doctors are professionals that everyone should choose from. This medical professional carries out referrals to specialists as well as the supervision of health care.
For consultations with medical staff, costs typically range from €4-5. It is a useful method because it can provide a more personal, closer and specialized care.
Sometimes the diagnosis can be more accurate as the family doctor can know more about the individual patient.
In case you have not yet designated a referring physician, you will have to do it through an online form without additional costs.
What is the best health coverage for tourists in Andorra?
Private medical coverage should be recommended when visiting Andorra.
When you visit the Principality as a foreigner, medical expenses should be paid in full through a private insurance, otherwise, if you need treatments in Andorra and you do not have a private insurance in this case, the expenses can be very high.
Europeans should remember that the European Health Card (ESCC) can no longer be used in Andorra.
Can I use the European Health Insurance Card in Andorra?
It is important to note that since Andorra is not part of the EU, the European Health Insurance Card has not been issued in this country.
That is why we recommend having a private health coverage, thanks to which you will be able to get medical advice in Andorra from the best professionals according to recent reports.
Contact us
If you have any questions about Spanish travelers and CASS or health care in Andorra, do not hesitate to contact us.
An assistance from us can help you long before you travel to Andorra from the European Union. We will be able to advise you and even write a report if necessary.