Health System > Public Health Service
 The Catalan Health Service (Servei CatalÀ de la Salut, or CATSALUT)
Catalonia has a mixed healthcare model: all publicly utilised healthcare resources form part of a single network, whether publicly or privately owned, including a range of centres traditionally involved in healthcare (occupational health clinics, foundations, consortiums and church-run centres).
 How is the system organised? The system is structured according to 7 health regions.
This territorial organisation ensures a better level of attention to the population's health needs and a closer relationship with care providers in each region and in the respective health sectors.
Who is considered a provisional user? Users requiring care who find themselves outside of their habitual place of residence are considered provisional users. If you must make a temporary stay away from home, you need to know how you can ensure access to health services during that period. Different procedures apply for temporary stays, habitual residence and for non-EU nationals.
How are individuals with health coverage identified?
 Personal Health Care Card (TSI) . This card allows citizens to access health centres and the services and benefits provided by the Catalan public health system. Identification is based on a personal identification number printed on the first line of the card, and the card is personal and non-transferable. Identification using the health card guarantees the confidentiality of an individual's personal information. Newcomers who establish residence in Catalonia by registering with local authorities are entitled to access the health services provided by CatSalut.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Residents of other European Union countries who travel to Catalonia for temporary stays (less than three months) can receive healthcare by presenting a valid European health insurance card (EHIC).
What services does CatSalut provide?
Primary healthcare: This is the first level of access, provided mainly at primary care centres.
Specialised care: This is the second level of access to the public health system, encompassing the following:
· Hospital care
· Public healthcare
· Psychiatric and mental health care
· Drug dependency care
· Other specialised care
· Pharmaceutical care
In addition to primary and specialised care, a range of complementary services are available:
 Subsidised medicines. Approximately 60% of the cost of prescribed medications is covered for employed workers and their dependents (medication required as a result of an employment-related accident is provided free of charge to workers).
Medical transport
Orthopaedic services
Transplants
Waiting lists
Importation of medicines from abroad if there is a real, justified therapeutic need and the therapeutic alternatives existing in Spain have been employed, or if the required medication is not commercially available in Spain. Applications in such cases are generally handled by medical specialists, although some medicines, such as antihelmintics, antimalarial medicines and other vaccines, can be requested by general practitioners.
You should take note of 2 important services: Sanitat Respon (an information service for health- and heathcare-related inquiries) and medical emergencies (telephone number 061).
Updated July 2008 |
