Every day there is an increasing number of people with a health insurance policy. We are not going to assess whether this is a good thing or not, but what is certain is that despite the extensions of the medical lists that health insurance companies may make, waiting lists are getting longer.
The health insurance sector in Spain
Today we will explain how to try to shorten deadlines and avoid being given an appointment for four weeks when you want to see a specialist.
Indeed, despite the crisis, which has also affected the volume of premiums in the insurance sector, the health insurance industry has not been adversely affected; its growth rate has been around 1.8% per year recently. In fact,
We are talking about a total number of insured persons in Spain of around 10.5 million people, including those who belong to the mutual insurance companies: Muface, Isfas and Mugeju.
This growth is justified by the adjustments made to the public health system, which has led to long waiting lists, mainly for diagnostic tests and consultations with specialists, as well as for surgery. Another reason is the concern of Spaniards for both their families and their health, according to several studies, which rate this with a 9 out of 10.
Consequences of the increase in health insurance
But what are the consequences of this increase in the volume of policyholders of specialist health insurance companies? ?
- The main one is that those that have not known how to channel this growth, find themselves with an increase in the waiting list. When one of their policyholders calls to see a specialist, they are given 4-6 weeks to visit the best doctors on the list. This is a setback for the insured, since he or she pays a monthly fee to be entitled to prompt assistance.
- At the same time, due to the adjustment of premiums in the sector and the high competition between companies, these companies also pay less to the specialist, and the specialist refers his patients who go through his private insurance to the end of his waiting list, and those who go privately give priority to him.
Let’s look at ways to solve these problems.
How to avoid delays with health insurance?
Let’s talk about three alternatives:
- The contracting of a health insurance in its “reimbursement” modality: unlike the usual medical insurance policy, this one does not limit you to the doctors arranged by the company, but you can go to the best specialist, pay the bill, and the company reimburses you between 80 and 90% of the amount advanced. With this policy, the specialists charge their usual fees (not those of the company) and give priority to these patients.
- If you are going to see a new specialist you don’t know, try the two or three best doctors on the list, since it is possible that the differences in waiting lists may be notable between one and the other.
- To have an insurance mediator in your health policy, with enough weight in the insurance company to be able to exert pressure on the medical department and get the appointment moved forward when it is really urgent.
If you have ever found yourself in this situation and want us to help you, contact us, and enjoy our group health insurance rates.
