Estonia Expat Health Insurance
Estonia, officially known as the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe bordered by Russia, Latvia, the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. The euro is now the official currency in Estonia as the country joined the Euro zone at the beginning of 2011. The country has a population of approximately 1.34 million people and is a democratic parliamentary republic divided into 15 counties. Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Each of the 15 counties in Estonia has a county Government which is led by a governor. The governors of each county are appointed by the Government of Estonia for a term of five years and represent the national Government in the county.
Estonia has a temperate climate with four seasons of equal length. The official language of the country is Estonian which is closely related to Finnish, as Estonians are a people of Finish descent. Finland is located across the neighbouring Gulf of Finland. Estonia is a developed country with a stable economy. It is a wealthy country and is listed as a high income OECD member and as a high income economy by the World Bank.
The coastline of Estonia is made up of many bays, inlets and straits. It has been estimated that Estonia has approximately 1,500 islands and inlets within its territory. Two of the islands, Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, are large enough that they are classified as separate countries. Estonia is also home to a large number of lakes, approximately 1,400, and rivers. The deserted beaches, crystal clear lakes, large forests for hiking, lovely seaside towns, birdlife and wildlife make Estonia a perfect place to visit for travellers who enjoy the great outdoors.
Estonia is not a country rich in resources. However, it does contain a large oil shale, limestone deposits and forestry which cover approximately half of the land. The construction industry in the country is also large, employing approximately 12 percent of the country’s workforce in 2007. Estonia also produces the majority of its energy requirements by way of oil shale based mining. Sadly this industry is causing both air and seawater pollution from sulphur dioxide. Thankfully the rate of population has been dropping from year to year. Estonia is considering building its own nuclear power plant to assist with its shale oil production in the future.
The capital city of Estonia, Tallinn, is one of the greatest protected and preserved medieval cities in Europe. Its streets are paved with cobble stones; it contains many historic churches, great cafes and a bustling nightlife. Estonia draws a large number of tourists to its shores each year just to see this medieval city. The tourist trade in Estonia is large and accounts for approximately 15 percent of Estonia’s GDP.
Estonia Health Care and Insurance
Medical care in Estonia is almost on par with the facilities in other European Union countries. The standard of care in the main cities, including the capital city Tallinn, is better than in rural areas where the facilities may have a lack of resources. The medical professionals in Estonia are well trained, however only some speak limited English. The pharmacies in Estonia are well stocked with medications. However, travellers need to be aware that some medications that are available in supermarkets in other countries (such as Aspirin) are only available from a pharmacy in Estonia. Travellers should bring sufficient amounts of any medications they require with them when visiting Estonia.
Estonia has a national health service that provides free healthcare for all permanent residents, an ideal that stemmed from the Soviet Union, and Western standards of medical knowledge and hygiene. Estonia also has private healthcare providers.
Estonia provides free healthcare to Mothers and their babies following birth as well as 100 percent of their former salary for 18 months. The Mother’s former job is held open for them for the 18 month period and she has the right to resume her position. This policy has been in force since 2005 and has resulted in Estonia being ranked the 18th best country in the world to be a Mother, ahead of Canada and the United States.
The Ministry of Social Affairs (MSA) is responsible for maintaining the healthcare system in Estonia. A number of other agencies assist MSA with the administration of the health system, including the State Agency of Medicines (SAM) and the Health Board. The SAM is responsible for the registration of pharmaceuticals, quality control and organisation of pharmaceuticals in Estonia.
In 2001 the country established the Estonian Health Insurance Fund. The purpose of the fund is to provide free healthcare and dental care services to insured permanent residents of Estonia, prevent and cure diseases and finance the purchase of medical products etc. The fund covers the costs of healthcare services regardless of the amount of social tax that the recipient paid. The fund uses the social tax paid by the workforce to cover its costs. The fund enters into contracts with health care providers, handles the reimbursement of payments made by citizens and pays for pharmaceuticals included in the list of those distributed at a discount.
For medical emergencies, the main medical facility is the North Estonian Regional Hospital in Tallinn (information telephone: 372 697 1300 or 24 hour emergency telephone: 372 697-1500). If you require outpatient treatment (Doctors visits etc) at the hospital telephone 372 697-1049. For routine care, many expatriates visit the Medicover Swedish Estonian Medical Centre, a private clinic with clinics in Tallinn. Such visits can be covered by medical insurance for Estonia.
Estonia Travel Insurance Concerns
Estonia is a safe country for travellers to visit, although pit pockets can strike in crowded markets so take precautions with your personal belongings. Estonia can be very dark during the winter months (from October to April) so the law requires pedestrians to wear small reflectors, which people generally pin to their coats or handbags. This law is rarely enforced in the cities; however reflectors are very important in rural areas where it may be difficult for motorists to see pedestrians. Travellers who break this law may be subject to a fine. Reflectors are inexpensive to purchase and can be found at supermarkets and convenience stores.
Travellers to Estonia can telephone 112 if in the event of an emergency if they require an ambulance. The telephone operators speak English, however it will speed up the process if a local makes the call. Estonia also has a family Doctor telephone helpline 1220 that travellers can call. There is no guarantee that the Doctor on the telephone will be able to speak English, therefore it is best if an Estonian speaker makes the telephone call.
Visitors to Estonia should ensure that their childhood vaccinations are up to date (measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus and polio etc) and consider being vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Travellers intending on residing in Estonia or having involvement with the wildlife may also require a series of rabies vaccinations.
Travellers planning to visit the forests in Estonia during the summer months should take steps to avoid ticks due to the risk of contracting tickborne encephalitis. A vaccination (requiring a series of injections) is available in European countries and in Estonia (it is not approved for use in the United States), it can be obtained from many local medical facilities in Estonia. Please be aware that the rate of tuberculosis in Estonia is also high. Travellers heading to Estonia during the flu season should consider getting a flu vaccination before they depart as serious cases of seasonal influenza, including H1N1 (bird flu) have been reported in recent years.
As Estonia is a member of the European Union (EU), European citizens are entitled to have the same health benefits as an Estonian citizen under the EU healthcare agreements. European travellers to Estonia must show their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in order to receive healthcare in Estonia. Comprehensive health insurance for Estonia is advised for all other travellers, as they will not be covered by Estonia’s national health service. Obtaining travel insurance will ensure that the costs of healthcare in Estonia are covered.
Estonia Expat Health Insurance
Taking out some kind of medical insurance prior to your visit is important when going to Estonia. Expat health insurance will ensure access to quality medical facilities, while other European citizens may wish to take out travel insurance to fill coverage gaps in the EHIC. At Global Health Insurance we work with a large number of international health insurers. We can provide you with quotations that met yours and your family’s needs while you are in Estonia. Expat health insurance plans we work with provide coverage options including maternity outpatient services and specialists visits. Our service is free of charge and impartial. Please contact one of our insurance professionals today to discuss your needs.
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