Andorra Approves Pilot for Complex Chronic Care at Primary Centre

Health Minister Helena Mas announced on Wednesday that the Council of Ministers has approved a pilot programme to improve continuity of care for around 70 patients with complex chronic conditions, one of three healthcare measures presented.

The 12-month trial, regulated by a new decree developed with the Andorran Health Care Service (SAAS) and the College of Physicians of Andorra (COMA), will launch on 1 September at the Andorra la Vella Primary Care Centre near the La Llacuna Cultural Centre. It will initially involve about 20 lead doctors.

Mas highlighted that complex chronic cases affect roughly 4% of the population but require nearly 20% of health resources. The initiative tests a proactive, person-centred model to address Andorra's ageing population and rising chronic disease rates, with plans to expand it across the primary care network if successful.

Each patient's primary doctor will head a multidisciplinary team, including nurses and internal medicine specialists as required, to provide ongoing monitoring. Teams will create and revise shared intervention plans, deliver health education to patients, families and caregivers on self-management, complication detection and service use, and conduct detailed assessments through a dedicated activity.

Participating doctors will receive compensation of 31.41 euros per extra visit—up to five annually per patient—on top of the standard fee, which CASS covers at 75% and patients at 25%. Eligibility focuses on individuals with multiple conditions, advanced diseases, frequent emergencies or hospitalisations, or elevated care demands. Metrics for evaluation include emergency visits, admissions and medication changes over the past year.