A complete guide to the Sanitas medical review — what triggers it, what to provide, how long it can take, the possible outcomes, and why it is a normal underwriting step rather than a refusal. We manage it in English. We help with the insurance only.
Overview
A medical review simply means the insurer has asked for more information before accepting the application — usually after a health declaration mentions medication, surgery, tests or a chronic condition. It is a normal part of underwriting, not an automatic refusal, and providing the requested details promptly keeps things moving.
If your application for Sanitas health insurance in Spain goes to a medical review, it is natural to feel anxious — but a review is a routine part of underwriting, not a rejection. It simply means the insurer would like a little more information about something in your health declaration before making a decision. This guide explains what triggers a review, what is requested, how to respond, how long it can take, and the outcomes that are possible, so you know exactly what to expect.
Our role throughout is to manage the process for you: we explain what is needed, help you provide it clearly, translate the communication into English, and keep your application moving — which matters most when a visa deadline is involved. See also the medical questionnaire and the medical declaration guide.
Not refusal
Triggers
A review is usually triggered by something in the health declaration that the insurer wants to understand better before deciding. Common triggers include:
None of these means a problem — they simply prompt the insurer to ask for detail.
Detail
The insurer may want to know what you take, for what condition, and whether it is stable.
Dates, the reason, and whether recovery is complete are typically relevant.
How the condition is managed and controlled is the key information; many are insurable. See pre-existing conditions.
Where results are pending, the insurer may wait for them before deciding.
Request
The request is specific to your case. You may be asked for a short summary of the condition, details of current treatment or medication, the dates of any surgery or tests, or a medical report you already have. You will not normally need to gather everything — we tell you exactly what is needed so you do not over-share or delay. Provide what is asked, clearly and factually.
Respond
The single biggest factor in how long a review takes is how quickly the information is provided. Gather what is asked, keep it clear and factual, and send it back promptly. We help you assemble it, pass it on to the insurer, and follow up so nothing stalls. A prompt, complete response is the fastest route to a decision.
Vague
Vague or incomplete answers are the most common cause of avoidable delay, because they prompt further questions. "I had an operation a while ago" leads to follow-up; "I had a knee operation in March, fully recovered, no ongoing treatment" usually does not. Being specific the first time — condition, dates, treatment, current status — helps the insurer decide without another round of questions.
Outcomes-table
| Outcome | What it means | What the applicant should do | Timing impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted, standard terms | Cover on normal terms | Proceed as normal | Minimal once info is in |
| Accepted with exclusion | One condition excluded | Check the exclusion; rest is covered | Small |
| Adjusted terms | Modified terms offered | Review the terms with us | Small to moderate |
| More information needed | A further request | Provide it promptly | Adds time |
| Postponed | Decision delayed for results | Wait for results, then continue | Can be significant |
| Declined | Not offered on this basis | Discuss alternatives with us | Ends this application |
Outcomes vary by case and insurer, and acceptance and terms always depend on the insurer's rules.
Provide-table
| Request type | Example | Helpful response | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condition summary | "Tell us about your diabetes" | Type, control, treatment, dates | Vague one-line answer |
| Medication details | "What do you take?" | Medicine names and the condition | Leaving out a medicine |
| Surgery details | "When was your operation?" | Date, reason, recovery status | Approximate "a while ago" |
| Test results | "Send recent results" | The report you already have | Delaying while you chase new tests |
| Specialist report | "A report from your doctor" | Provide promptly if available | Ignoring the request |
Time
Timescales depend on how quickly information is provided and assessed, so we cannot guarantee an exact length. Some reviews resolve quickly once the details are in; others take longer if reports are needed. This is precisely why visa applicants should apply early — a buffer means a review does not put the appointment at risk. See how long approval takes.
Visa
If your consulate appointment is approaching and your application is in review, contact us immediately with all your details and any medical information ready. We will prioritise it and, where possible, look at faster options — see same-day certificate. We will also be honest if the timeline is genuinely tight, rather than promise something outside our control.
Declined
If an application is declined or postponed, it is not necessarily the end of the road. We explain why, discuss any alternative suitable cover, and help you understand your options. A decline on one basis does not always mean no cover is possible, and we will look honestly at what is realistic for your situation. See pre-existing conditions.
Limits
We can prepare and present your application clearly, help you respond promptly, translate everything into English, and chase the insurer. We cannot control how long the insurer's underwriting takes in a complex case, and no honest broker should promise acceptance in advance or an exact date. What we can promise is to make your side of the process as fast and clear as possible.
Manage
We act as your English-speaking point of contact throughout a review: translating requests, explaining what is needed, helping you describe conditions accurately, and keeping the application moving. You do not have to navigate the back-and-forth alone or in Spanish. Get a quote or contact us.
Step by step
It helps to see the sequence. First, your health declaration flags something the insurer wants to understand better. Second, the insurer sends a specific request — for example a summary of a condition or a recent report. Third, you (with our help) provide the information clearly and promptly. Fourth, the insurer assesses it and reaches a decision: standard terms, an exclusion, adjusted terms, or occasionally a postponement or decline. Knowing these steps removes much of the uncertainty — a review is a defined process, not an open-ended wait.
At each step we translate the request, explain what is needed, and keep things moving, so you are never left wondering what happens next.
Resolving well
A short confirmation that it is well controlled often leads to standard or lightly adjusted terms.
Confirming the date and full recovery frequently resolves the review quickly.
A brief note on treatment and stability is commonly enough for acceptance.
These illustrate the point that most reviews end in cover, often on normal terms. Outcomes always depend on the insurer's rules, but a review resolving well is the common case, not the exception.
Disagree
If the outcome is not what you expected — for example an exclusion you would like to understand — talk to us. We can explain what it means in practice, whether anything can be revisited, and what alternative options might exist. An exclusion on one condition still leaves the rest of your cover in place, and understanding exactly what is and is not covered helps you decide with confidence. We are here to make the outcome clear, not just to relay it.
Families
In a family policy each person is assessed on their own declaration, so a review for one member does not hold up the others. A healthy partner or child can usually proceed while a single member's review is completed, which keeps the household's application moving. We coordinate the family together and keep everyone's timeline aligned. See family health insurance.
Older
Older applicants are more likely to have something to declare, so a review is more common for over-60 and over-70 applicants — and it is entirely normal. Acceptance and terms can depend on age and health, and we are honest about what is realistic while finding the most suitable option. Allowing extra time and providing information promptly is the key. See over-60 cover and retiree cover.
Why longer
Most of these are within your control — clear, complete, prompt responses are the fastest route to a decision.
Renewals
A medical review is part of setting up a new policy. Once you are accepted and the policy is active, it renews annually without repeating the review, unless you change plan or insurer in a way that requires fresh underwriting. This is another reason to get the initial application right: a clean setup means straightforward renewals. See first-year cover.
Visa families
Where a visa deadline and a family application coincide, timing matters most. Because each member is assessed separately, we can often progress the straightforward members while one review completes, so the family's certificates are ready in time. The safest approach remains to start early so any review has room to finish before the appointment. See when to buy and before your appointment.
Reassure
It is worth repeating the headline: most reviewed applications are accepted, frequently on standard terms or with a single specific exclusion. A review is the insurer gathering information to say yes on the right terms, not looking for a reason to say no. Being asked for detail is normal, and with a prompt, clear response it usually resolves without difficulty. We are with you at every step to keep it moving.
Price
A review is about gathering information, not automatically about charging more. In many cases the outcome is standard terms with no price effect; in others the insurer applies a specific exclusion or adjusted terms rather than a higher premium. We are honest about what is realistic for your situation and will always explain any terms clearly before you commit, so there are no surprises. Pricing is from a starting point and subject to age, plan, province, family members, the declaration and current Sanitas terms — see Sanitas pricing.
Confidential
Any medical information you provide during a review is used only to assess your application, and you should share only what is asked. We handle these enquiries with care and discretion, translating and passing on what the insurer needs and nothing more. If you are ever unsure why something has been requested, ask us and we will explain before you provide it.
Multiple
Where you have more than one thing to declare, the insurer may assess each separately, and the outcome can differ by condition — for example standard cover overall with one specific exclusion. Having several conditions does not mean refusal; it simply means a little more to assess. Providing clear information on each, with dates and treatment, helps the review move smoothly. See pre-existing conditions.
Prepare
Having these ready means that if a review is requested, you can respond the same day rather than starting to gather information from scratch.
Switch
If you are moving to Sanitas from another insurer, a fresh review may apply, and any terms are based on your current health rather than your old policy. Cover you held elsewhere does not automatically carry across, so it is worth understanding how a switch may affect your terms before you change. We explain this clearly first — see changing cover after moving.
Bottom line
To summarise: a medical review is a normal, defined step in which the insurer asks for a little more information before deciding. It is not a refusal, most reviewed applications are accepted, and a prompt, clear response is the fastest route to a decision. Apply early if you have a visa deadline, provide specific information, and let us manage the communication in English. Handled that way, a review is rarely the obstacle people fear. Get a quote.
Important information
Tell us your situation and we will guide what to provide and keep your application moving. We help with the health-insurance part of your application. Acceptance and exact policy terms depend on the insurer’s rules; visa decisions rest with the Spanish authorities.
English-speaking Sanitas specialists can help with the health-insurance part of your visa or residency application.
FAQs
Common questions about this Spanish visa route and the health-insurance requirement. Always confirm current rules with the official authorities or a qualified immigration specialist.