When direct payment is authorised
Where the insurer approves direct settlement, the hospital can normally invoice the insurer for the authorised treatment. Any excess, deductible or non-covered amount remains subject to the patient's policy.
International insurance & private payment
Travel Insurance & Private Hospital Care in Málaga
English-speaking insurance and private-payment coordination for tourists, visitors and international patients accessing Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga.
Pre-alert hospitalI'm on my wayUsing insurance in Málaga
Can I use my travel insurance at a private hospital in Málaga?
Often, yes — subject to your policy
International or travel insurance can often be used for private hospital care in Málaga, but cover depends on the individual policy and insurer authorisation.
More information
Costa Medical Services coordinates international patients accessing Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga and can help provide the hospital and insurer with the administrative information needed for direct-payment authorisation where available.
If direct payment has not been authorised, the hospital may request a deposit or private payment. Depending on the policy, the patient may later be able to claim reimbursement from the insurer.
How hospital insurance payment works
Direct payment, pending authorisation or private payment.
The administrative route depends on the insurer, the patient's policy and the authorisation issued for that episode of care.
If approval is delayed
A temporary deposit may be requested while authorisation is pending. Once the insurer confirms cover, the account is adjusted under the hospital's process and any applicable refund is handled accordingly.
If you are self-paying
The hospital provides its official invoice and available supporting documentation. Depending on the policy, the patient may then submit the claim directly to the insurer for reimbursement.
Insurance authorisation
What is a Guarantee of Payment?
A Guarantee of Payment — often shortened to GOP — is confirmation from an insurer or medical-assistance company that specified hospital costs are authorised under the patient's policy.
More information
GOP / direct payment approved: the insurer can settle the authorised hospital charges directly, subject to the exact approval issued.
Authorisation still pending: the hospital may request a temporary deposit while the insurer reviews the case.
No direct-payment authorisation: the patient can use the private-payment route and may later seek reimbursement if their policy allows it.
Important: an insurer name does not equal automatic cover.
Recognition of an insurer does not guarantee that every policy, treatment or specialist is covered. Authorisation, exclusions, excesses, deductibles, deposits and reimbursement are decided under the individual policy.
International insurance coordination
Does Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga accept my insurer?
Quirónsalud Málaga publishes that it works with leading international insurers and travel-insurance arrangements. Whether your own treatment can be billed directly depends on your policy and the authorisation issued for your case.
Examples, not a guarantee of cover
The companies below are examples of international insurers and medical-assistance companies patients may hold. Inclusion does not state that Costa Medical Services has a direct commercial relationship with every company shown, and it does not guarantee hospital direct settlement. Cover must be confirmed for the individual patient, policy and episode of care.
Global & international
Bupa GlobalCigna GlobalAllianz CareAXA Global HealthcareAetna InternationalGeoBlueIMGWilliam RussellNow Health InternationalAPRIL International
United Kingdom
BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaCignaAllianzWPAHealixFreedom Health InsuranceThe Exeter
Ireland
VHILaya HealthcareIrish Life Health
Scandinavia & the Nordics
SOS InternationalAIGAllianzBrand ForsikringDanske BankDinaERVEuropæiske DenmarkFalckFolksamFremtindGjensidigeGoudaIDA ForsikringIfLB ForsikringLänsförsäkringarLocalTapiolaModernaPohjola InsuranceRunaStorebrandTopdanmarkTrygWaterCircles
United States
UnitedHealthcareAetnaCignaElevance Health / AnthemBlue Cross Blue ShieldKaiser PermanenteHumanaCenteneMolina HealthcareGeoBlue
Canada
Canada LifeSun LifeManulifeBlue CrossGreenShieldGMSDesjardinsRBC InsuranceBenevaAllianz Care
Latin America & Caribbean
Bupa Global Latin AmericaPan-American LifeMAPFRESURAAXAAllianzMetLifeBMIBest Doctors InsuranceCigna Global
Australia / New Zealand
BupaMedibanknibHCFahmAustralian UnityGMHBAHBFAIA HealthHIF
For UK and European visitors
Can I use a GHIC or EHIC at a private hospital in Málaga?
No. A UK GHIC or EHIC is for eligible state healthcare and does not cover private treatment.
Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga is a private hospital. British visitors intending to use private hospital care should therefore normally rely on applicable travel/private insurance or private payment rather than a GHIC or EHIC.
GHIC / EHIC
State healthcare and private healthcare are different routes.
Your GHIC or EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. If you are unsure which route applies to you, the coordination team can explain the hospital's private-payment and insurance-administration options, but only the insurer can confirm policy cover.
What to bring
What insurance documents should I bring to the hospital?
- ✓Passport or other identification
- ✓Insurer or assistance-company name
- ✓Policy number or assistance reference
- ✓Any authorisation or Guarantee of Payment already issued
- ✓Relevant medical reports or medication list, if available
If you do not have all of the insurance information to hand, you can still begin the hospital process. In urgent situations, clinical care should not be delayed while searching for paperwork.
Using insurance at the hospital
What happens when I arrive with insurance?
The clinical pathway and the insurance-administration pathway run alongside each other. Insurance arrangements do not replace clinical triage or medical decision-making.
Pre-alert your arrival
Send your basic patient and insurer details before travelling where possible.
Show your details
Present identification, insurance information and any authorisation already provided.
Insurer route checked
The administrative pathway can work with the insurer or assistance company where appropriate.
Cover is confirmed
The insurer determines what is authorised under the patient's individual policy.
Payment route follows
Direct settlement, deposit or private payment is handled according to the authorisation received.
English-speaking coordination
A clearer conversation between patient, hospital and insurer.
Costa Medical Services provides English-speaking international-patient coordination and helps pass the relevant administrative information between the patient and hospital pathway. Where an insurer or assistance company is involved, coverage decisions remain entirely with that insurer and the patient's policy.
Pre-alert hospitalI'm on my wayInsurance questions
Travel insurance & private hospital FAQs.
Quick answers for international patients using hospital care in Málaga.
Can I use travel insurance at a private hospital in Málaga?
Often, yes, but the insurer must confirm that the policy covers the treatment and whether direct payment is authorised. If direct settlement is not available, a deposit or private payment may be required.
Does Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga accept international insurance?
Quirónsalud Málaga publishes that it has agreements with leading international insurers and arrangements for international patients. The exact cover available to you depends on your insurer, policy and authorisation for the treatment required.
Can I use Bupa, AXA, Cigna or Allianz for hospital care in Málaga?
Patients may hold policies from these and many other international insurers. Whether your specific policy covers care in Málaga, and whether the hospital can bill the insurer directly, must be confirmed for your individual case.
What is a Guarantee of Payment?
A Guarantee of Payment, or GOP, is confirmation from an insurer or assistance company that specified hospital costs are authorised under the patient's policy. It is limited to the scope and terms stated in that authorisation.
Do I have to pay the private hospital upfront?
Not always. If direct payment has been authorised, the insurer may settle the authorised charges directly. If approval is pending or unavailable, the hospital may request a deposit or private payment.
What happens if my insurer has not authorised treatment yet?
The hospital may request a temporary deposit while authorisation is being reviewed. Urgent clinical decisions remain based on medical need and are separate from the insurer's administrative decision.
Can I pay privately and claim the money back from my insurer?
Depending on the policy, yes. The hospital can provide its official invoice and available supporting documentation, but reimbursement eligibility and the amount repaid are decided by the insurer.
Can I use my GHIC or EHIC at Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga?
No. GHIC and EHIC are intended for eligible state healthcare and do not cover private treatment. Hospital Quirónsalud Málaga is a private hospital.
What insurance documents should I bring?
Bring identification, the insurer or assistance-company name, policy/reference details and any authorisation or GOP already issued. Relevant medical reports and a medication list can also be useful where available.
Can I still receive urgent care if I cannot find my insurance documents?
Do not delay urgent clinical care while searching for paperwork. Provide whatever details you have available and the administrative insurance process can continue alongside the clinical pathway.
More general information
Costa Medical Services coordinates international patients travelling to hospital care from Málaga city, Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Mijas, La Cala de Mijas, Rincón de la Victoria and surrounding Costa del Sol areas.
Patient information reviewed by Dr Ben Harry Clegg · Registered medical doctor in Spain · Colegio de Médicos de Málaga nº 292911940 · Reviewed 22 August 2026.
Insurance coverage is determined solely by the patient's insurer and policy terms.
Sources: Quirónsalud Málaga international patient information · GOV.UK GHIC/EHIC guidance for Spain
