When I first arrived in Spain, I needed insurance for my residency application and ended up buying a plan somewhat on the fly. The agent recommended Sanitas, saying it was one of the largest and most reliable companies. After using it for a few years, I’ve gained some experience, so I’m sharing my personal thoughts today to hopefully help those trying to decide on an insurer.
Why I Chose Sanitas?
My main reason for choosing Sanitas was its big name and extensive medical network. You can find Sanitas-affiliated hospitals and clinics in almost every city and town in Spain, which makes finding a doctor or getting tests done quite convenient. I live in Madrid, and a quick search on their app shows several specialists just a short walk from my home, which is a huge plus. They also offer a wide range of insurance products, from basic plans with co-payments (copago) to all-inclusive plans without co-payments (sin copago), catering to different budgets. I opted for a mid-range plan with small co-payments, mainly to keep the premium lower.
My Experience with Medical Appointments
Let’s talk about the actual process of seeing a doctor. The Sanitas app is quite well-designed, and you can book most appointments through it. You can filter by specialty, doctor’s name, or location, and then directly select an available time slot from the doctor’s schedule. It’s very intuitive. On the day of the appointment, you just show your insurance card at the reception for them to scan, and then wait to be called. My experiences, such as seeing a dermatologist and getting my annual check-up, have been quite smooth. However, you should be prepared for potentially long waits for popular specialists or procedures like ultrasounds or MRIs. It’s normal to have to book one or two months in advance, a point to consider when choosing a Spanish health insurance provider.
Some Minor Details and Complaints
While the overall experience has been positive, there are a few things I’d like to complain about. For instance, their customer service phone line can sometimes have very long wait times. Also, although there are many affiliated doctors, not all of them are top-tier; I’ve encountered a family doctor who was rather dismissive. So, my advice is to check the doctor’s reviews on the app before booking. It may not be 100% accurate, but it’s better than choosing blindly. Here’s a simple pros and cons table I’ve put together:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Extensive medical network, many clinics | Long waiting times for popular specialists/tests |
| Well-designed app, easy to book appointments | Customer service phone lines can have long waits |
| Wide variety of insurance plans | Not all affiliated doctors are excellent |
| Reliable claims and authorization process | Co-payments on some basic plans can be high |
As a long-standing health insurance company in Spain, Sanitas offers a generally reliable service. It is especially helpful for newcomers to Spain who are not yet fluent in Spanish, as they offer international services and English-speaking staff. Of course, insurance is a very personal choice, and my experience might not apply to everyone. The best approach is to compare several companies, such as Adeslas, Asisa, etc., based on your own budget, health condition, and the medical resources available in your city to see which service and policy best fit your needs. I hope you all have insurance you never need to use—staying healthy is the most important thing!
