When it comes to moving to Andorra, a series of questions arise regarding the issue of social coverage, in case of illnesses or accidents. Is it possible to access the Principality’s health services? What are the health and social security devices? That’s why CASS exists in Andorra. We tell you everything about this system.
CASS in Andorra: What is it and what is it for?
CASS in Andorra means Caixa Andorrana Seguretat Social (Andorran Social Security Fund). The system is simplified and centralized, which gives it great efficiency. In a single body, in this case, the CASS in Andorra, all the social and medical coverage devices of the Principality are concentrated.
The CASS in Andorra is the one that carries out the management of reimbursements in terms of medical and hospital care expenses and costs. Membership with the CASS in Andorra is mandatory for all those people who reside and work in the country, that is, for those who carry out a professional activity.
En Andorra, el régimen de la seguridad social y la cobertura por enfermedad, se divide en tres ramas diferentes:
- General. This affects the sector of general reimbursement benefits and those related to maternity, paternity, temporary work incapacity, etc.
- Retirement. It deals with everything related to the management of retirement and widow’s pensions.
- Special branch. Certain residents of the country benefit from this.
The following Andorran residents belong to the general branch:
- Shepherds
- Wage earners.
- Public service workers.
- People with paid public and/or political positions.
- Paid athletes.
- Company administrators (following a series of established requirements).
- Those who enter into a sharecropping contract.
- Those who carry out an activity on their own in the Principality.
- Those who receive a social security or government pension.
As for the special branch or regime, the following people can benefit:
- Orphans of father and mother, as well as people whose guardianship or custody is entrusted to the State.
- Persons confined in penitentiary establishments.
- People with different abilities.
- Students between 25 and 30 years old.
- Those who are insured voluntarily, in the general and retirement branches.
- Voluntary insured persons in the general branch.
- The early retired.
- Wage earners who receive a remuneration lower than the minimum wage and who are indirectly insured.
CASS contributions and reimbursements in Andorra
When we talk about affiliating to the CASS in Andorra, it is essential to address the issue of health and social security contributions. These quotes are set in two different ways:
- Wage earners and employees. They have a withholding of 5.5 to 10.5% of the salary. The average amount, set by the government, is 14.5% of income. It is the employer who is responsible for paying the difference (between 4 and 9%) of the employee’s salary.
- Entrepreneurs and company directors. In these cases, the withholding is 20 to 25% of the average monthly salary in the country. This is calculated based on the consideration of the income of all workers affiliated with the CASS in Andorra.
As the CASS in Andorra is the only body responsible for the health and social security of the Principality, it is responsible for regulating costs through an established index < strong>between 75 and 100%of the medical expenses, as the case may be. This is how the CASS in Andorra can reimburse your expenses in the following way:
- 75% of general health expenses, including doctors and medications. There is the possibility of 100% reimbursement if complementary medical insurance is subscribed.
- 90% of hospital expenses.
- 100% of the expenses derived from an accident in the workplace or from an illness that has an occupational origin.
When medical expenses are incurred by services not affiliated with the CASS in Andorra and the authorities of the Principality, reimbursements can amount to up to 33% of the amount paid.
How does CASS work in Andorra?
The CASS in Andorra was established in 1968 and, today, covers more than 90% of the residents of the Principality. The entire system of contributions and reimbursements for health and social security in Andorra is governed by the Law applied since November 1, 2009 and its main objective is to regulate health practices and costs. > associated with them.
The CASS is a public body of vital importance for the Principality, since it guarantees health coverage to Andorran nationals, but also to all legal residents of the country . It is also established as an organization that offers a high-quality and very efficient health system. Andorra has, among others, the reputation of being a country where the quality of hospitals and medical equipment prevails. But in addition, the Principality has also signed a series of international agreements with its European partners so that its residents can be treated in centers in countries such as Spain and France, if necessary.
The seven parishes into which Andorra is divided have first aid medical centers, as well as an emergency number, which is 118.
