Asisa Health Insurance Spain: An Honest Review As an Expat
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Having lived in Spain for over six years, I’ve had firsthand experience navigating both the public healthcare system and private health insurance. In general, I’ve found that having private insurance allows me to access faster services and avoid much of the hassle that can come with the public system e.g. strikes, long waiting times for appointments, etc.
In this review of Asisa Health Insurance—one of Spain's oldest and most reputable insurers with over 2.9 million policyholders—I’ll walk you through my methodology for evaluating insurance providers, focusing on key factors such as coverage options, customer service, and cost-benefit analysis, particularly for expats. This detailed breakdown will help you determine if Asisa is the right fit for your healthcare needs.
Key Points
Asisa offers unlimited doctor visits and inpatient stays across 40,000 health professionals
Some special services are subject to a waiting period
Asisa offers an easy pricing calculator online
Table of Contents
About Asisa Private Health Insurance
What Asisa Spain Medical Insurance Covers
Asisa Health Insurance Pricing
What to Consider When Reviewing Asisa
Pros of Asisa Health Insurance Spain
Cons of Asisa Health Insurance
How Asisa Compares to Other Options
Asisa Review: Overall score
About Asisa Private Health Insurance
Asisa has been providing health insurance in Spain since 1971. It’s owned by the cooperative Lavinia, which is a group of over 10,000 medical doctors.
Asisa offers health insurance options for singles, families, and groups with a variety of services. It’s a popular pick for international health insurance in Spain.
What Asisa Spain Medical Insurance Covers
Here are some key services that Asisa covers:
Unlimited consultations with General Practitioners and specialists
Freedom to chose clinicians and Centres within the ASISA network (with over 40,000 health professionals)
24-hour emergency response in English
English-speaking call centre
Remote medical consultations in English with GPs and specialist consultants, via phone, live chat App, and online video consultations
Care at home (medical, nursing, and oxygen therapy)
Full range of diagnostic tests and treatments, including inpatient and outpatient surgery, transplants, protheses and implants
Unlimited inpatient stays (in any department, including intensive care)
During inpatient treatment, private room for patient with an extra bed for carer or family member, free of charge
Basic dental care is covered: Consultations, follow-ups, tooth extractions, dental hygiene, x-rays required by the treatments mentioned, and fluoride treatment for children under 6 years of age.
Asisa Private Health Insurance Coverage Limitations
Some services are subject to a waiting period. A six-month waiting period applies to:
Special diagnostic tests
Special treatment procedures
Programmed surgery
Family planning
Psychotherapy.
An eight-month waiting period applies to non-urgent hospital admissions. The waiting period is waived if you have already had similar coverage from another company for the past 12 months.
Also, Asisa covers basic dental care but not full dental services. You can get a discount on dental services from certain providers as a member of Asisa, though. Other non-covered services with discount options include:
Assisted reproductive technology
Eye surgery for refractive eye conditions (myopia, hyperopia, etc.)
Conservation of umbilical cord stem cells
Asisa also doesn’t cover:
Treatments outside of the provider network
Outpatient medication
Pre-existing conditions
These waiting periods and exclusions are fairly standard for private health insurance companies in Spain.
Asisa Health Insurance Pricing
Asisa offers an easy-to-use calculator for English speakers on its website. You enter the number of people you want coverage for, your date of birth, and whether you want to have a copayment or not.
An example quote for a single person born in 1990 is €36.10 per month for a plan with a copay and €69.99 per month for a plan without a copay. Asisa caps the copayment at €300 per year.
Costs are largely based on your age. Young people typically find lower rates than older people.
Asisa Health Insurance Reviews
Asisa has both positive and negative reviews on Trustpilot. Overall it has a 2.1-star rating. The company responds to negative reviews to try to resolve each situation, which is a good quality.
Positive Asisa reviews show customers are happy with the service, especially from the English-speaking international team. Other reviews say the company was quick to approve appointments and operations.
Negative Asisa reviews show some customers had issues with communication. Reviewers say different customer service teams feel disjointed at times and customers have to keep asking the same questions.
What to Consider When Reviewing Asisa Health Insurance Spain as an Expat
When planning your move to Spain on a visa, choosing the right private health insurance is a crucial step. Here are the important factors to consider to gauge if Asisa Health Insurance Spain meets visa requirements and your personal needs:
1. Visa Compliance
Government Approval: Ensure the insurance is recognized and approved by Spanish authorities for visa applications.
Coverage Duration: The policy must cover you for the entire duration of your stay or visa period in Spain.
2. Extent of Coverage
Comprehensive Care: Look for policies that offer coverage comparable to Spain’s public health system, including emergencies, hospitalizations, regular check-ups, and specialist visits.
Pre-existing Conditions: Understand how the policy handles pre-existing medical conditions.
3. Financial Terms
No Copayments or Deductibles: Preferably choose a plan that doesn't require additional payments for services received.
Affordable Premiums: Balance the cost with the level of coverage offered. Premiums should be affordable and justify the benefits provided.
4. Repatriation Coverage
Included Repatriation: Ensure the policy includes repatriation coverage, which is essential for returning to your home country in case of severe health issues or mortality.
5. Provider Network
Wide Network: The more extensive the network of hospitals and doctors, the better. Check if the policy provides access to a wide range of healthcare providers across Spain.
6. Customer Service
Language Support: For ease of communication, check if the insurer offers services in your preferred language, especially if you’re not fluent in Spanish.
Efficient Customer Support: Good customer service is vital for dealing with queries and claims. Review customer feedback about the insurer’s responsiveness and support quality.
7. Claims and Assistance Process
Simplicity in Claims Process: The procedure for filing claims should be straightforward and user-friendly.
Emergency Assistance: Check the insurer’s efficiency in handling emergencies and the support provided during critical times.
8. Policy Flexibility and Renewal
Plan Adaptability: Consider whether the policy can be adjusted as per changing health needs or extended if you plan to prolong your stay.
9. Reviews and Reputation
Insurer Reputation: Research the insurer’s reputation in the market. Reading reviews and testimonials can provide insights into the insurer’s reliability and service quality.
Pros of Asisa Health Insurance Spain
Wide Coverage Options
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Asisa offers comprehensive coverage, including general healthcare, specialist care, and dental options.
Fast Access to Services
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Private insurance ensures quicker access to appointments and treatments compared to the public system.
Established Reputation
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
With over 2.9 million policyholders and a long history, Asisa is a trusted provider in Spain.
Affordable Plans
⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Competitive pricing, especially for younger adults, but some additional costs for specific services.
Expat Insurance Features
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Visa/NIE Compliance: Asisa's expat insurance meets all the Spanish consulate requirements for visas and NIE applications or renewals.
All-Inclusive Coverage: The plan mirrors the public health system, covering emergencies, consultations, diagnostic tests, surgeries, and hospitalizations.
Financial Benefits: There are no copayments or deductibles, and it offers unlimited economic coverage within Spain.
Immediate Coverage and Repatriation: Policyholders benefit from zero waiting periods and included repatriation of remains.
Cons of Asisa Health Insurance
Customer Service Response Times
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
While generally helpful, customer service response times can be slow, especially during busy periods.
Claim Processing
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Some users report delays in claim approval and processing, which can be frustrating.
Limited English-Speaking Support
⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Asisa primarily operates in Spanish, so non-Spanish speakers might find communication challenging.
How Asisa Compares to Other Options
Asisa Review: Overall score: 8/10
Asisa offers solid coverage and fast access to healthcare, which is a major advantage over relying solely on Spain's public system, especially during times of strikes or long wait times. Their long-standing reputation and wide range of services make them a reliable choice for both locals and expats. However, some areas like customer service and claim processing could be improved. Based on my experience as an expat, Asisa provides a good balance of affordability and quality healthcare, making it a strong option for private insurance in Spain.
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