The Mutualidad General de Funcionarios Civiles del Estado (Muface) is progressing with the bidding process for the Concierto de Atención Sanitaria en el Exterior (CASE) for the 2025-2027 period. During its recent meeting, the bidding committee reviewed the administrative documentation and opened the bids, discovering only one applicant, Nueva Mutua Sanitaria. Despite this, the process is not closed.
After evaluating the submitted documentation, the committee requested additional clarification and documentation from Nueva Mutua Sanitaria, according to the Public Sector Contracts Law. The company has three working days to comply. On February 10, the committee will evaluate the modifications, and if they are satisfactory, the economic offer will be announced.
This bidding call was made on December 23, 2024, following the approval of the Council of Ministers on December 18. This step was necessary due to the failure of the first call, which received no applications. To avoid future setbacks, another bidding process was approved on December 17 for the Muface’s national and international healthcare contracts.
To safeguard the continuity of healthcare assistance during this contract transition, Muface is taking immediate measures. Citing Article 288 of the Public Sector Contracts Law, it has issued continuity orders ensuring assistance remains at current levels until the new contract starts. These orders affect both the Concierto de Atención Sanitaria Nacional (CASN) and the CASE, and are published on the Public Sector Contract Platform.
The healthcare services under these orders will be maintained from January 1, 2025, until the new contract is awarded, requiring all entities to continue their existing services. Due to increased requests for appointments, authorizations, and complaints, Muface urges calm and reminds mutualists to submit claims through the official channels.
Like every year, starting January 2025, mutualists associated with the National Health Assistance Concert will have the option to choose between the public health systems of the autonomous communities or contracted insurance entities. This ordinary switch from contracted entities to public services will be entirely voluntary and reversible when new selection periods under the new concert are opened.
Regarding the CASE, it covers 7,969 individuals, including those currently stationed outside Spain, international missions, visiting teachers to the U.S. and Canada, and retirees residing in the EU and associated states.
Currently, the coverage—contracted with DKV—ensures healthcare support equivalent to what is provided within Spain, including hospitalizations, medications, specialized treatments, and evacuation services. Healthcare assistance abroad is primarily managed through reimbursements, and direct payment to medical providers is facilitated for high-cost cases.
It is imperative for the current bidding process to secure the continuity and quality of these services for the mutualists abroad for the next three years. Despite witnessing its only competitor, the newly proposed Nueva Mutua Sanitaria, the bidding process must continue to adhere to regulations to confirm their viability as the new provider.
Using information from multiple sources reveals the background of the bidding process. Reports indicate the decision by DKV to withdraw from the contract has left the mutualists vulnerable. Muface predicts proceeding with Nueva Mutua Sanitaria, the only bidder, could address this vulnerability, but it remains contingent upon meeting specified requirements.
At the heart of the scrutiny is the necessity for Nueva Mutua Sanitaria to provide detailed documentation confirming their financial standing, solvency, and capability to offer services across various countries. They must also translate their service conditions to at least 123 languages and provide detailed information about their portfolio of mutualists. The final decision about this contract is anticipated to be revealed on February 10.
While the bidding process for domestic contracts faces delays, the government has recently proposed increasing incentives for insurers by over €330 million for the upcoming Muface concert from 2025 to 2027. Nevertheless, this delay is primarily due to corrections the government is undertaking. With revised conditions, insurers—previously reluctant to participate—are reportedly considering re-engaging.