Asked for a health insurance quote and got three options with different prices? The difference comes down to three things: how much the insurance pays if you have surgery or a hospital stay, whether it helps with everyday doctor’s appointments and tests, and which extras it includes.
In our quotes we usually present these three Tranquilidade options: Base XXL + Extra + Doenças Graves (serious illness), Mais + Extra + Doenças Graves and Top. Most other insurers have equivalent levels with different names. Each option can also be adjusted, with more or fewer covers.
What are XXL, Extra and Doenças Graves?
They are add-ons we always include with Base and Mais, because we think they belong in good health insurance. Top already includes them.
- XXL: the stronger version of Base, with more money for hospital care and a yearly amount for appointments and tests, instead of a fixed package of a few appointments.
- Extra: stronger cancer protection, with treatment at the Champalimaud Foundation, a cancer risk assessment programme and support at home during treatment (home help, meals, online psychology and nutrition appointments). It also adds reimbursement of medical expenses abroad, for stays of up to 180 days, and increases the hospital care amount by €150,000.
- Doenças Graves (serious illness): up to €1 million to be treated abroad, in an international network of hospitals chosen by the insurer, for cancer, brain surgery, heart bypass surgery, heart valve replacement or organ transplant (heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas or bone marrow). It includes flights and accommodation for you and one companion.
Base XXL: protects you from the big scare
It pays hospital costs if you have surgery or are admitted to hospital. It also helps with appointments and tests, but with a lower yearly amount. It does not include childbirth. You already have access to network dentists at agreed prices, lower than the normal price.
Mais: everyday insurance
Everything in Base XXL, with more money for hospital care and for appointments and tests. It includes childbirth.
Top: the most complete
Everything in Mais, with even higher amounts, and the insurance also pays part of the dentist, plus glasses, prostheses and medicines. For hospital stays within the network, you pay nothing yourself. Extra and Doenças Graves are already included.
The three options side by side
| What happens | Base XXL + Extra + Doenças Graves | Mais + Extra + Doenças Graves | Top |
|---|---|---|---|
| You have surgery or stay in hospital | Yes | Yes, with a higher amount | Yes, with a higher amount |
| You see a doctor or have tests | Yes, with a lower limit | Yes | Yes |
| Video appointment with a doctor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Psychology or psychiatry appointments | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer treatment at Champalimaud | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Serious illness treatment abroad | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medical expenses abroad | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| You are having a baby | No | Yes | Yes |
| You go to the dentist | Network prices | Network prices | Yes, the insurance pays part |
| You need glasses or contact lenses | No | No | Yes |
| You buy prescribed medicines | No | No | Yes |
Do you still pay something with insurance?
Usually, yes: this is the co-payment, a small part of each appointment or test. For example, at a doctor in the insurer’s network you pay a fixed amount, around €20, and the insurance pays the rest. If you go to a doctor outside the network, you pay for the appointment and the insurer refunds part of it later.
Can I use the insurance from day one?
For almost everything, no. There is a waiting period. For example: about 2 months for appointments and tests, 3 months for hospital stays, 6 months for serious illness and 1 year for childbirth and some surgeries. If you have an accident and need hospital emergency care, there is no waiting period.
So if you are planning to have children, don’t leave the insurance until the last minute.
What about conditions I already have?
They are usually not covered. When you take out the insurance you fill in a health questionnaire, and it is important to answer truthfully: if something is left out, the insurer may refuse to pay later.
The question that decides
Do you want insurance for everyday care, or just in case you need surgery?
- You rarely see a doctor and want to be covered if you need surgery: Base XXL is usually enough.
- You see doctors and have tests regularly, or you are planning to have children: Mais is the most balanced choice.
- You want the insurance to pay for the dentist and glasses too, and fewer surprises on the bill: Top.
We help you choose
If you have questions, email us at segurosgamboa@segurosgamboa.pt with these details so we can prepare a quote:
- Full name and tax number (NIF)
- Date of birth of each person to be insured
- Postcode of your address
- Phone number
- If you already have health insurance, which one
We’ll help you find the right option for you and your family.
General information only. Always read your policy conditions. Option names, covers, co-payments and waiting periods vary from insurer to insurer and may change.