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Denmark Expat Health Insurance

The Kingdom of Denmark in Scandinavia is one of Europe’s wealthiest countries and its capital city of Copenhagen consistently ranks near the top of global quality-of-life rankings. It is governed by a constitutional monarchy, and economically follows the so-called “Scandinavian model” combining some aspects of market capitalism with a generous social welfare programmes. Today’s Denmark was a medieval Viking stronghold and served as a launch point for expeditions throughout the North and Baltic Seas. Denmark is now a European Union member, although it is not part of the Eurozone. It has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, and its progressive environmental policies have protected the country’s natural beauty. Perhaps Denmark’s most famous export is cultural – the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen including The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

Given its wealth and equitable income distribution, it should come as no surprise that Denmark’s public health care indicators are among the best in the world. Life expectancy for males is 77 years and 81 years for females; both figures are above the already high European average. Public Denmark health insurance provides coverage to all Danish citizens free of charge; total annual health expenditure per capita is USD4,118 in 2009, which represents 11.2 percent of GDP. Denmark’s health care workforce has no issues with adequately staffing health clinics and hospitals. There are 34.2 doctors and 145.4 nurses and midwives per 10,000 population in Denmark. The WHO also operates eleven Collaborating Centres in Denmark, which carry out research on topics ranging from drug policy, to water borne illness to nutrition and foodborne pathogens.

Denmark’s burden of communicable disease is very low. HIV infection rates are only one fourth of the global average, and the prevalence of tuberculosis is just one twenty-fifth of the worldwide norm. Like most modern developed countries, Denmark enjoys universal access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation, which has long helped prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Most morbidity and mortality in Denmark comes from diseases of affluence which affect wealthy countries, such as cardiac disease, cancer and diabetes. Also, about one third of Danish adults smoke tobacco cigarettes, and diet and sedentary lifestyles have obesity on the rise with 16 percent of Danes classified as such.

Denmark Health Insurance and Health Risks for Expatriates and Travellers

The WHO has issued a number of travel health warnings for meningitis and flu epidemics in Denmark, but none more recently than 2004. The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommends updating routine immunisations four to six weeks before visiting Denmark. Although Denmark health insurance will cover basic care, it may be more efficient to have these injections administered in your home country. Tickborne encephalitis is health issue in the meadows and woodlands of Denmark during the summer months. Using insect repellent with DEET and wearing long sleeved clothing are highly recommended. If you receive a tick bite while visiting a high-risk area, it may be worth having a physician examine the affected area.

Generally speaking, health risks in Denmark are very limited compared with most places in the world. Typical travellers’ complaints such as nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting can be avoided by ensuring that food is cooked and drinking only bottled water. Over the counter medication will usually treat acute cases. Road traffic accidents are more common for those not used to normal driving customs (note that Danish traffic drives on the right).

Expatriates relocating to Denmark are also entitled to Denmark health insurance and public health care. Expatriates may register with the National Register, and European Union and European Economic Area nationals may use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in order to receive local public health care. Emergency treatment in Denmark is provided free of charge to visitors, and emergency medical services and ambulances may be reached by dialing 112. Specialist treatment in the public health care system is only available with a referral from a general practitioner. Dental care is also subsidised and is provided free of charge for children under age 18. There are a limited number of private hospitals in Denmark, but this is an increasing trend.

Denmark Expat Health Insurance

Denmark’s comprehensive public health care system may appear to reduce the need for an expat health care plan, but the limitations of local Denmark health insurance make the benefits of an international plan more obvious. As mentioned above, emergency care is provided free of charge to visitors, but repatriating patients to their home country via airborne medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of US dollars. In addition, patients requiring specialist care must first go through a general practitioner in the public system. This can be time consuming as long waiting lists are not uncommon. Relocating or travelling abroad can be stressful enough without concerns about expensive health care bills. When moving abroad or to Denmark, finding the right expat health insurnace plan can provide peace of mind to you and your family.

With so many different health insurance plans on the market, choosing the one which best suits your family (or your business or tour group) can seem very daunting. Fortunately, Global Health Insurance has a dedicated team of full-time experienced advisors to answer your health insurance-related questions 24 hours per day. If you are interested in keeping yourself covered globally as well as in Denmark, expat health insurance plans we offer can include cover for alternative care medicine, dental, maternity and emergency evacuation. Please contact a Global Health Insurance representative today for more information.