• Individual plans
• Family plans
• Group plans
• Travel plans
• Teacher plans

Slovenia Expat Health Insurance

A small eastern European country of about two million inhabitants, Slovenia is bordered by Italy, Germany, Hungary, and Croatia, and has a very short coastline on the Adriatic Sea. This location at the historic crossroads where east meets west has resulted in long and interesting past for the region. Slovenia's history stretches across nearly two millennia of time, and its architecture varies from ancient ruins of the Roman Empire to classical and contemporary architecture of the mid-centuries, and all the way down to ultramodern suspension bridges that are the feats of modern engineering today. Tourists come to Slovenia, not just for its impressive man-made creations, but also for its exceptionally diverse landscape, ranging from the mountains of the Alps in the north to dense forests in the mid-lands and the famed Mediterranean climate of the southwest. Add in outdoor sports, unique cuisine, and cultural and artistic exhibits along with a strong, stable, and forward facing government and a progressive economy and it is easy to see why Slovenia is a year round destination for visitors.

Slovenia Healthcare System

Since the end of the communist era, Slovenia's state government has been very busy pursuing a socialized society that is both financially stable and offers a moderate quality of life. By most opinions, they are a success. Unlike many of its fellow ex-communist bloc neighbors, capitalism and privatization took root early in Slovenia, one result being an excellent health care system. In keeping with the expectations of a modern and developed country, Slovenia invests heavily in the well-being of its citizens, as is expected of European Union (EU) member nations. With a strong economy and a high GDP along with aggressive taxation of employers, the government supplies itself with a healthy budget for infrastructure towards government subsidized health care. Further, supportive legislature for foreign investment has given rise to excellent hospitals and clinics to meet the needs of the populace. Both private and public health care are available, with all public and nearly all private providers tied into the nationalized health care network for payment. All facilities are open to anyone, and while cost is not low by most developed standards, it is more affordable than many northern European countries and the standards of care are very high. Medical tourism is thus on the rise. The Ministry of Health is currently undertaking actions to see to it that the country's hospitals are prepared for the upcoming 2014 European Union directive on patient mobility to ease the integration of EU patients from other countries who need treatment while in Slovenia, which will further integrate Slovenia into the EU's goal of “one Europe”.

As of 2011, there are more than two dozen hospitals, spread through out the country, offering both general and specialized care including psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, children's health, oncology, allergic reaction research and treatment, rehabilitation services, and physician teaching and training efforts. Slovenia's doctor to patient ratio is exceptional, with approximately 4,200 doctors in practice, resulting in one doctor for about every 475 residents. Of course the system has its faults, some claim the payout system by the government is not sustainable and inefficient, and as is common in small societies, occasional shortages of man-power become evident. Currently the number of doctors and nurses in primary health care facilities has been deemed as too low. These factors sometimes result in long waits and over working of staff. On the whole however, there are few situations that could not be handled by the skilled health care professionals working in Slovenia. Should a circumstance arise that cannot be cared for domestically, arrangements are in order for neighboring countries to offer services on pre-arranged conditions.

Slovenia Medical Insurance Information

Since 1992, Slovenia health insurance has been a universal socialized arrangement under the management of the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia, commonly called the Institute. By law, all Slovenes are covered by the system, regardless of age, health condition, or income and all are guaranteed the same level of care at all public hospitals and clinics with payment made by the government on their behalf, with copay required by those whose income disqualifies them from free treatment. The Institute's primary function is the taking in and allocation of funds to cover the cost of care, the actual care is provided through separately managed health care facilities and doctors. Funding, as mentioned above is from taxation of employers with contribution from the employees in some cases, however legislation is being considered to change the funding system significantly and put more responsibility on the individual, time will tell what becomes of the considered plan. Another shortfall of the current system , according to critics, is the lack of sufficient checks and balances on the way that care is distributed, resulting in easy opportunities for abuse of the system, which is very generous in regard to payment and compensation for lost time at work (sick leave) due to illness and hospitalization.

A non-profit, member-owned, supplemental medical insurance for Slovenia's workforce, primarily to cover co-pay and a few procedures that are not built into the system, is available from the government managed agency called the Mutual Health Insurance Organisation, known locally as the Vzajamna zdravstvena zavaovalnica. For non-residents and visitors, international health insurance plans with coverage for Slovenia are accepted at most private health care facilities and some public ones, but it is advisable to ensure acceptance prior to treatment if possible.

Slovenia Travel Insurance Information

All foreigners visiting or relocating to Slovenia are advised to ensure that all childhood immunizations and booster shots are up to date prior to arrival. Communicable disease is well managed by the health care system in Slovenia, but it is still advisable to receive inoculation against hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus and if your plans include visiting wooded or rural areas, tick-borne encephalitis. The leading killer of Slovenes is heart disease, for which there is no cure, but thankfully is not contagious. Domestic water sources are considered clean throughout Slovenia and tap-water is deemed safe to drink by the government.

Slovenia Expat Health Insurance

With so many different things to see and experience in Slovenia, no one wants to imagine the possibility of a visit being spoiled by an unexpected trip to hospital due to illness or injury. Worse still would be the financial burden that one would have to bear for treatment should they be caught without sufficient medical insurance coverage. Global Health Insurance offers Slovenia Expat Health Insurance coverage available to protect you, your family, your international employees, or travel group while in Slovenia or anywhere else in the world. Our Insurance Experts will assist you, at no charge, to select the plan that best fits your needs, and offer the peace of mind that you desire when traveling abroad in Slovenia. Expat health insurance plans even offer optional coverage benefits which can cover things such as dental work, maternity care and specialist treatments.