Cass is actively undermining health in Andorra
Andorra can be a wonderful place to live. But if I had known what I would face when I needed complex medical treatment, I would have chosen differently.
The medical care itself has been good. My frustration is with CASS, Andorra's public social security institution, which handles healthcare reimbursements, pensions, and sickness and disability benefits. In my experience, its bureaucracy became an obstacle to getting the treatment my surgeon recommended.
The treatment CASS refused
My operation required complex internal stitching to create a watertight closure. The surgeon recommended robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery as the most appropriate and safest option for me.
I took his recommendation and medical reports to CASS and asked for a contribution, even if limited to the amount covered for conventional laparoscopy.
As soon as the employee saw the word 'robotic', the documents were pushed back to me. The answer was no. I was offered no medical review or discussion of partial reimbursement. I left feeling that the treatment label mattered more than my medical circumstances.
A formal request and more delays by playing games:
I then asked my lawyer to submit a formal request. CASS rejected the electronic signature, even though the signature checks consistently showed it was valid. This game played by the CASS lasted almost a month. To me this behaviour of a government institution is purely criminal.
When CASS finally accepted the signature, they said they had two months to respond. My latest possible surgery date was only a month away, and they had known that deadline from the start. Their response period extended beyond the time I had left.
CASS never answered my request, even within those two months.
What I would advise before moving
This experience left me deeply disappointed. At a time when I needed support, I faced a refusal, a prolonged dispute over a valid signature and an unanswered request. Basically the attitude of CASS is criminal, they really have no interest in securing good health facilities for their country.
Before moving to Andorra, check whether you can obtain independent health insurance from outside Andorra that covers treatment abroad, including treatment CASS refuses and not be subject to criminal bureaucrats.
You may still have to contribute to CASS, but in this way they cannot jeopardize your health.