Andorra Raises Patient Fees for First Consultations to €9.60 for Specialists
Andorran government hikes patient contributions for initial medical visits to retain healthcare talent and boost efficiency. Changes include expanded nurse roles and streamlined referral pathways per Health Minister Helena Mas.
Key Points
- First referring doctor visit: €34.41 total (€8.60 patient share); specialists: €38.67 (€9.60 patient).
- GP visits rise 1% to €31.41 (€7.80 patient share), effective Sept 1.
- Changes apply if no visit to same doctor in 7 years; aim to boost staff retention.
- From Oct 1: streamlined pathways, longer referrals, nurse empowerment for efficiency.
The Andorran government has approved updates to CASS healthcare tariffs, introducing specific rates for first consultations with referring doctors and specialists while raising general practitioner fees.
The new measures, effective 1 September, set the first referring doctor visit at €34.41 total, with patients contributing €8.60. First specialist consultations will cost €38.67 overall, with a €9.60 patient share. These rates also apply if a patient has not seen the same professional in the previous seven years.
General practitioner visits will increase by 1% to €31.41, with patients paying €7.80. Health Minister Helena Mas described first visits as involving particular complexity and responsibility, justifying the changes to better align pay with clinical demands. She highlighted referring doctors' central role as the gateway to primary care and long-term patient support.
The adjustments aim to aid recruitment and retention of medical staff while strengthening primary care. Mas noted they recognise referring physicians' essential position in the system.
Additional efficiency steps include streamlined priority pathways from 1 October to cut unnecessary tests, extending specialist referrals from 12 to 18 months, and empowering nurses with new protocols for tests, prescriptions, or referrals—such as directing diabetic foot cases to podiatrists or screening for STIs.
The reforms align with State Health Pact guidance, focusing on patient needs and staff retention.
Related Articles
Other articles from Catalan-language sources about the same story:
- El Periòdic•
Salut crearà una tarifa específica per a la primera visita mèdica i apujarà fins als 31 euros la dels metges de capçalera
- Diari d'Andorra•
Salut augmenta les tarifes de la primera visita mèdica i la dels metges de capçalera
- Altaveu•
8,60 euros per a la primera visita d'atenció primària i 9,60 euros per a la d'especialista