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Lithuania Expat Health Insurance

Lithuania is situated in Northern Europe on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea which shares land borders with Belarus, Poland, Russia and Latvia. Lithuania was initially under German control during World War II before being reoccupied by the Soviet Union towards the end of the war. Lithuania remained part of the Soviet Union until it declared independence in 1990. Despite various cultural changes throughout its history, Lithuania has a distinct and unique culture centered on its folk traditions. This influence can be seen today in Lithuanian music, art, literature and film. Following independence, Lithuania looked west towards Europe and began to develop strong trade links with EU countries. In 2004 Lithuania became part of the European Union and today it boasts a well developed national infrastructure and Lithuanian citizens enjoy a high average income when compared to neighboring countries.

Lithuania Health Care and Health Insurance

In common with many former Soviet Republics, Lithuania’s health care system post independence was centralized and the focus was previously on the quantity of medical facilities in the country rather than quality. Significant reform and financing was required and the government has been relatively successful in improving the standard of health care although standards remain somewhat below those of Lithuania’s neighbors in the EU. Public sector health care is now available free of charge to citizens and foreign residents. Expatriates and foreign nationals legally resident and employed in Lithuania are required by law to contribute to the national social security system although ambiguities surrounding a foreign national’s immigration status can cause problems with the application process. To ensure you and your family are adequately protected, purchasing Lithuania health insurance cover is strongly encouraged.

The Ministry of Health oversees and administers health care policy on behalf of the government. It has created two funds, namely the State Patient Fund (SPF) and the Territorial Patient Fund (TPF), both of which combine to manage the national health insurance scheme. These funds are financed by way of a social tax on the salary of employers and employees to ensure sufficient funds are available to the country’s medical facilities. Employers and employees must contribute 31 percent and 3 percent respectively of the employee’s gross annual income. An abundance of general practitioners (GPs) has meant that doctors and physicians are the first point of contact for a patient seeking medical assistance. There is no requirement for a citizen to consult with their local GP and they are entitled to register with the GP of their choice, however, the GP must be a member of the TPF scheme if the patient is to receive free treatment. Some GPs operate from a private residence or from health centers which contain a number of doctors, physicians and other medical personnel. GPs provide a wide range of out-patient services including maternal and dental care while complicated or emergency cases would require referral to a public hospital.

Although the government has actively worked to manage the total number of medical facilities in Lithuania, the aim was to reduce the number of hospitals and increase the number of health centers within the health care network. In addition to the high number of GPs, there are at present 149 health centers and 169 hospitals throughout Lithuania. The country’s total population is approximately 3.2 million people with half a million people resident in the capital city Vilnius and it is here where the country’s top medical facilities can be found. The Šeimos Medicinos Centro and the Alfa Clinic are two facilities capable of providing care and treatment comparable with international standards. Both hospitals have modern equipment and attentive staff which ensures their ongoing popularity among the expatriate community. There are a small number of private hospitals and clinics in Lithuania with the majority of these are situated in or close to Vilnius. These facilities can offer a better standard of care than public sector facilities but the charges involved can be considerably higher. As an expatriate or tourist in Lithuania, it is important to be aware that if you wish to visit highly trained English speaking staff at private facilities you will be required to pay in cash at the time of treatment. Purchasing comprehensive Lithuania health insurance is therefore strongly encouraged.

Lithuania Travel Insurance Concerns

Despite having a well trained medical workforce there is a very high turnover of health professionals in Lithuania. Low salaries and an endless list of duties have contributed to poor morale. Increasing numbers of medical university graduates are opting to leave the country in search of better pay and working conditions abroad. This shortage of medical personnel has ensured that waiting times in health centers, hospitals and clinics can be frustratingly long. Overworked staff has struggled to maintain a high standard of care and as a result some facilities are unable to provide certain specialist or complicated treatments.

European citizens who are holders of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) who suffer from a medical emergency are entitled to seek no cost treatment at public facilities. It should be noted that the EHIC covers emergency treatment only and the cost of any subsequent treatment such as in-patient services or further consultations must be met by the patient themselves. The EHIC will also not cover costs associated with repatriating the patient in the event of a serious medical emergency. A Lithuania expat health insurance policy will ensure access to the full range of medical treatment available.

Lithuania Expat Health Insurance

Expatriates, travelers and short term visitors to Lithuania can be confident that they can access a well established health care system should the need arise. Some complicated treatments may require emergency evacuation to a neighboring country with state of the art facilities; therefore, we advise purchasing a Lithuania health insurance policy that includes a provision for medical evacuation. Obtaining medical cover will give peace of mind and ensure you and your family is sufficiently covered for all possible medical situations in Lithuania. Expat health insurance can be tailored to suit your particular needs, with many optional coverage benefits. For more information about our products and services, or to receive a free quote, please contact contact a Global Health Insurance to speak to one of our advisers today.