Andorra Health Insurance

The Principality of Andorra, also known as the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra, is a small nation in the South West of Europe. The country has a total area of only 468 square kilometres, making it the sixth smallest country in Europe. It is located in the Pyrenees Mountains which give it an elevated height and the highest capital city, Andorra la Vella, in Europe. Andorra is landlocked by Spain and France and has a population of approximately 84,800. The official language is Catalan. Other languages including French, Spanish and Portuguese are also spoken. English is less common but it can be understood at varying levels in major tourist spots.

The country is a Parliamentary democracy and co-principality governed a Prime Minister and two princes, the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell, Catalonia. It has been tied to both France and Spain during its history. Andorra attracts a great number of tourists to its borders each year, estimated to be 9 million annually. Tourism accounts for approximately 80 percent of the nation’s GDP. Visitors are attracted to the country’s tax haven status, duty free shopping, snow skiing, the famous Caldea spa complex and the resorts. The currency in Andorra is the Euro which was adopted in 1999.

The banking sector is one of the major contributors to Andorra’s economy, thanks to the country being a tax haven. However, recently the country has tightened its tax free status by taxing foreign investment and other sectors. The country has some natural resources including mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead and hydro electric power. The majority of Andorra’s food is imported as only 2 percent of the land is useable for agriculture. Andorra also manufactures cigarettes (as some tobacco is grown locally), cigars and furniture. The country enjoys no tariffs for the trade of manufactured goods with Europe even though it is not a member of the European Union.

The terrain of Andorra consists of rugged mountains, the highest being Coma Pedrosa. The average elevation of Andorra is 1,996 metres which gives the country an alpine climate. It has more snow in winter, low humidity and is cooler in summer. The Andorran people have the fourth highest life expectancy in the world, at 82.43 years. The country also boosts the world’s lowest unemployment rate, at almost 0 percent.

Andorra Health Care and Insurance

Good medical care facilities exist in Andorra. The country has the Caixa Andorrana de Seguretat Social (CASS) system which is a Government run social security system. CASS provides health care to all employed persons and their families and is funded by both employer and employee contributions. The employer contribution is 13 percent of the employees salary and the employee contribution is based on 6 to 9 percent their salary (those employees who have families pay more).

CASS contributes 75 percent towards the cost of outpatient expenses (Doctors visits etc) and medicines, 90 percent for hospitalisation and 100 percent for work related accidents. The remainder of the cost not covered by the Government is an out of pocket expense which can be paid for personally by the patient or by private health insurance. Approximately 25 percent of Andorrans have private medical insurance. Only routine dental visits and check ups are covered by the state system. The unemployed and visitors to Andorra require private health insurance to cover the cost of medical care in the country. Unemployed residents can voluntarily join the state system by contributing between 200 and 400 Euros each month.

Parliament, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, CASS and the National Health Service all govern the health system in Andorra. The Government makes the healthcare policies and CASS implements them by collecting the contributions to fund the health care system, agreeing the fees that Doctors and hospitals are paid, paying pensions to the elderly and compensating employees who cannot work due to illness. Approximately 8 percent of the country’s population do not participate in the social security system.

Andorra has 12 primary health care centres which are located in various parts of the country. The health centres complement the health care provided by General Practitioners (GPs) and are staffed by nurses. Andorrans can choose any CASS registered GP of their choice including some that are located in Spain and France. CASS registered GPs display a sign saying “coventione” or “agree” in their practices. A number of the GPs speak English.

The only hospital in Andorra is Meritxell (telephone: 376 871 000) which is new and located in the capital city. CASS also works with some hospitals based in France and Spain to provide more complex or rare surgical treatment to Andorrans. CASS agrees the hospital fees annually with the hospitals and GPs. Hospital admission is only for serious illnesses and injuries as home care is the preferred option in Andorra.

Emergency medical treatment is free for all Andorran citizens regardless of whether or not they are a member of the state social security scheme. The hospital has a 24 hour accident and emergency department. Often accidents in Andorra relate to ski accidents. Travellers should ensure that they have travel insurance for Andorra. The country has many pharmacies which are well stocked with medications.

When a patient receives medical treatment in Andorra they are given a stamped voucher which they need to return to CASS along with the receipt and receipts for any prescription medications given. CASS then reimburses the patient for the relevant percentage of the treatment by bank transfer.

Andorra also has some private medical practices and Doctors. Their practices are funded entirely by the Doctors themselves. These Doctors are able to perform surgeries and treatment in the public hospital as long as they make themselves on call for emergencies for a set number of hours each week.

Andorra Travel Insurance Concerns

Getting to Andorra is not as simple as some destinations, as the country does not have an airport or railway. The nearest major airports are Toulouse and Barcelona which are three hours drive away. Buses can take travellers into Andorra from Toulouse and Barcelona. A smaller public airport is Perpignan Rivesaltes Airport which is 160 kilometres away and has flights to destinations in the United Kingdom and France. The nearest railway station is L’Hospitalet pre l’Andorre in France which is located 3 kilometres east of Andorra. Travellers can also drive into Andorra from either Spain or France. There are three heliports which operate commercial helicopter flights to Andorra.

Andorra has a low rate of crime however tourists should protect their belongings and watch their drinks for spiking in bars. There is a small risk of terrorism in Andorra although attacks are unlikely. If you require emergency assistance while travelling in Andorra, the telephone number for general emergencies/mountain rescue is 112. The police can be contacted by telephoning 110, the fire brigade and ambulance on 118 and 116 can be phoned for medical emergencies.

No vaccinations are required to enter Andorra. However, the World Health Organisation recommends that all travellers be vaccinated against diphtheria/tetanus, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) hepatitis B regardless of their travel destination. It is also recommended that travellers have an influenza vaccination if they are travelling in the winter season from November to April. Travellers should be careful on the mountain slopes and be mindful of altitude sickness. Travellers should ensure that they have medical insurance for Andorra in case of emergency.

Andorra has strict rules on public drunkenness and the possession of illegal drugs. A no tolerance policy is exercised. It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places and a fine of 300 Euros will be imposed if you are caught.

Andorra Expat Health Insurance

If you choose to travel to Andorra you will not be covered by the CASS for free medical care and as Andorra is not part of the European Union, the EU health insurance cards are also not applicable. Travellers need to ensure that they have medical insurance for Andorra in place to cover the cost of medical treatment if required. At Expat Medical Insurance we can assist you with selecting a Global medical insurance package that meets you needs and includes such benefits as outpatient care, hospitalisation, maternity care and medical evacuation. Our specialised service is free of charge and we work with the world’s leading medical insurers. Please contact us today for an Andorra health insurance quotation.