If you are a foreigner planning to work or study in the Czech Republic, you need health insurance. Like most of the Czechs, you can be part of the public health insurance system. It’s typical for foreigners with permanent residence. However, there are a few other options. For example, your home country may cover your insurance costs. This applies to students from European Union countries who have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Thus, they have access to free, but only basic and urgent care. And another option – maybe you belong to the group of foreigners who take out commercial health insurance. It’s called health insurance for foreigners too. In this article we explain what to focus on when choosing insurance for foreigners. Similarly, what to avoid and what criteria to use.
What will you learn in this article:
What acute and emergency health insurance covers and what the term insurance coverage means
Why pay attention to insurance exclusions and why comprehensive health insurance a good choice is
How the assistance service can help you
Emergency vs. Comprehensive Care. Which Insurance for Foreigners Should You Take Out?
First, we would like to mention that insurance companies arrange acute and emergency health insurance for foreigners in the Czech Republic for less than 90 days period. Another type of health insurance for foreigners is comprehensive insurance. In case you want to obtain long-term visa or long-term residence in the Czech Republic, you need this insurance. “Therefore, the choice of insurance depends on the purpose and on the length of your stay in the Czech Republic. However, don’t just look at the price. My recommendation is to compare the price with the scope of the insurance,” says Ladislav Griga, Head of Telesales at FaBrika ads, which operates the InfoCizinci.cz website.
And what do we mean if we talk about the scope of the insurance? Basically, it’s everything that the insurance covers. Be aware of the fact, that acute and emergency health insurance covers elementary medical expenses in case of acute health problems. The limit of covering is usually EUR 60,000 per event. “And the upper limit for dental treatment under this insurance plan may be only in the hundreds of euros. So that’s not too much. Consider prices that dentists charge. The situation is similar for prescription drugs,” Ladislav Griga points out.
Ignorance of Insurance Exclusions Is No Excuse
Acute and emergency health insurance provides you with basic protection within Schengen area (if your insurance policy includes this). For some people, this may be entirely sufficient and adequate for their situation. But if you want better protection and option of preventive examinations, a robust insurance cover limit and range of suitable additional insurance, take out comprehensive health insurance. Ladislav Griga, Head of Telesales at FaBrika ads, the company behind the InfoCizinci.cz website, adds: “In addition to standard comprehensive insurance, several insurance companies offer premium insurance packages. And we are talking about healthcare that is like Czech public health insurance. Consequently, you get high limits of covering and extended care. Nevertheless, both standard and premium comprehensive insurance for foreigners only applies within the Czech Republic. If you travel from Czechia to any of the Schengen countries, then it switches over to acute and emergency health insurance.”
Without regard to type of insurance, check the insurance exclusions. These are situations that the insurance company explicitly states it doesn’t cover. For example, the insurance company may not reimburse you for the costs of treatment and care for an illness or injury that you suffered before taking out the insurance policy.
Good Advice and Assistance Service Is Better Than Gold
Very important in health insurance for foreigners are assistance services. Multilingual coordinators advise you on finding a doctor or hospital, arrange interpretation, help with administration or with transport to your country if necessary. ‘Take the time to compare offers from different insurance companies. We often go through them with clients over the phone. Our operators are experienced professionals, and health insurance for foreigners is their daily bread. They can foresee scenarios that you might not even think of. Thanks to them, you will save yourself a lot of troubles. And you will save a lot of money,” concludes Ladislav Griga.
