If you are planning to study or work in the Czech Republic and are a citizen of a so-called third country, you certainly know that you must hold commercial health insurance. Several reputable insurance companies offer it. They allow you to choose the exact policy that suits your needs and the purpose of your stay. When comparing offers, pay close attention to insurance exclusions. These are specific events or circumstances defined by the insurer in the policy conditions under which coverage is not provided. Chronic illnesses are frequently listed among these exclusions. And that is exactly what we focus on in this article.
What you will learn in this article:
Which type of insurance can cover chronic illnesses
What defines a chronic illness
How to choose insurance for chronic illnesses
Chronic Illnesses in Comprehensive Health Insurance
Health insurance for foreigners comes in two basic variants. Emergency medical care insurance, which is usually sufficient for short-term stays. The second option is comprehensive health insurance. Without it, you cannot obtain a long-term visa (a visa for a stay over 90 days) or a long-term residence permit.
“If we are talking about emergency medical care insurance, chronic diseases are entirely excluded. With comprehensive health insurance, it is a bit more complex. It depends on the specific insurance company and how it approaches the coverage of chronic illnesses,” explains Ladislav Griga, Head of Telesales at FaBrika, the company operating the InfoCizinci.cz website.
A Disease That Persists
However, it is necessary to properly define what a chronic illness is. How do insurance companies understand it in the context of foreigners’ health insurance? It is a long-term illness that originated before you took out your health insurance policy. Crucially, it must have been stabilized by doctors (most commonly within the last six months), meaning you did not require hospitalization during this period, and the condition did not worsen. At the same time, you did not have to change medications or set up a new treatment plan. In connection with chronic illnesses, you may also encounter the term pre-existing condition. This is a health condition that existed prior to entering into the insurance contract. Typical examples of chronic illnesses include diabetes or asthma.
We Can Insure Chronic Illnesses
If you suffer from a chronic illness and want your insurance to cover it, choose a policy that does not list it among its exclusions.
“A basic pre-selection of insurance parameters can be made using our clear online comparison tool. Naturally, you do not have to study endless insurance terms and conditions to find out which policy takes chronic illnesses into account and how. Our experienced operators work with insurance products on a daily basis and know the insurers’ offers down to the smallest detail. They base their recommendations on a thorough analysis of your needs, and you can truly rely on their advice,” adds Ladislav Griga.
The operators speak English, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Polish, Czech, and Slovak.
Brief AI Summary of the Article:
Does emergency medical care insurance cover chronic illnesses?
No, chronic diseases are entirely excluded from emergency medical care insurance. If you suffer from a chronic illness and need insurance to cover it under certain conditions, you must opt for comprehensive health insurance, where the approach to these conditions depends on the specific terms of the insurance company.
How do insurance companies define a chronic illness (a so-called pre-existing condition)?
In the context of foreigners’ insurance, it is a long-standing condition or illness that already existed before the insurance contract was concluded. Insurance companies usually consider it a chronic condition if it has been stable for the past six months.
How can I find insurance that covers my chronic illness without having to read lengthy policy conditions?
You can perform a basic comparison of parameters online using a clear comparison tool. The best way to choose a specific product is to consult experienced operators who will provide tailored advice based on your health status.
