Whether you’re living in Bulgaria or just visiting, it’s risky not to have the Mandatory health insurance for yourself and your family; if you’re uninsured, you could face very high medical bills.
In the EU, the country responsible for your social security and your health insurance depends on your economic status and your place of residence – not your nationality.
If you are an EU citizen and you work in one EU country and live in another, you are entitled to medical treatment on both sides of the border.
If you are UK citizen all, you should check Living in Bulgaria in the healthcare chapter, which provides the complete details and info on how you should proceed depending on your status.
This process will allow you and your dependents to receive health care in the country where you live.
Your dependants can also enjoy the same rights as you if you work and have insurance in most EU countries.
If you a foreigner from a non-EU country is very important that you review the information about the health care system in Bulgaria well before arriving in the country.
In Bulgaria it is compulsory to pay for medical insurance to the Bulgarian state – this means that all people working on labor contracts or are self-employed pay medical insurance to the Bulgarian state.
This is also valid for foreigners who start work in Bulgaria – they will have identity numbers for foreigners and have to pay health insurance ( the amount that you pay will depend on your salary) to the state or prove they have medical insurance in their home country (valid for European Union or countries with a signed agreement with Bulgaria).
The amount that you pay will depend on your salary, but there is a very minimal base rate cost of around 18 leva a month, the equivalent of about EUR 9. Your healthcare contributions will be around 8% of your salary: 4.8% payable by your employer and 3.2% payable by you.
And in this way you can have the same treatment as a Bulgarian citizen, you and your family will be entitled to free or subsidized medical and dental treatment from the Bulgarian public system.
The national health insurance system covers:
primary outpatient care
specialized outpatient care
hospital treatment
diagnostic tests
some medication
gynecological care
vaccinations
emergency care
ambulance transport
The mandatory medical insurance of foreign citizens in Bulgaria is taken out by foreign citizens, who are residing for a short or long period on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or transit through the country.
The Mandatory Medical insurance for Foreigners is valid only for the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, and it’s mandatory for foreigners applying for Residence permits.
The insurance covers the expenses for medical treatment and hospitalization for foreigners, emergency medical care, costs for outpatient and hospital care, also dental care.
The minimum amount of the insurance is set by 60 000 leva; the insurance contract is taken out for a period not less than 90 days and not more than one year, depending on the duration of stay. Some insurance companies offer lower insurance limits on a voluntary level, covered with the same risks.
You will get coverage in case of:
Medical costs due to an accident or acute illness– including the expenses for hospital, surgical or pharmaceutical services, also emergency medical care;
Dental care emergency;
Death due to an accident.
Medical expenses – costs for hospitalization, emergency medical care, hospital care, outpatient treatment, costs for pharmaceutical drugs, emergency dental treatment, keep in mind that that you will have to pay at the hospital and ask for an invoice on your name for all your expenses, the procedure for getting reimbursed is easy but it takes some time and Bulgarian language knowledge.
How is the procedure to get cover by your insurance In Bulgaria
You need to call the insurance company within 24 hours. You will be asked to answer questions, including the policy number or date of birth and the name of the insured. If the call is made before contacting the medical institution and the insurance company works via the assistance service or has direct contracts with the nearest clinics, you will be directed to the appropriate clinic and in most cases, you will not need to pay for medical services.
If there is no possibility to call the insurance company, the first working day in case they don’t have 24 hours number. You can also inform in writing about the insured event by notifying the company by email or post within a few days.
Call an ambulance (telephone 112). It should be remembered that the state ambulance in Bulgaria is free by law. You shall be charged for the provision of ambulance services if you applied to a non-governmental ambulance, for example, to a private clinic, which also provides ambulance services.
If an ambulance is not required, you can independently contact any hospital by applying to the emergency room of the institution directly.
Buy medicines prescribed by a doctor within three days after visiting a doctor. Otherwise, you shall not be reimbursed for their cost.
The estimated cost of the insurance (info from web research)
Annual Insurance (365 days) – 85 EUR.
For insurance period three months- 25 EUR
For six months – 50 EUR
Cost of emergency treatment in Bulgaria
Emergency care for life-threatening conditions is free of charge in Bulgaria. All hospitals are obliged to treat every patient regardless of insurance status, nationality or ability to pay. It doesn’t mean that you won’t be billed after your stay at the hospital.
‘Seeing a doctor in Bulgaria
Residents in Bulgaria can register with a doctor of their choice in any town. Doctors are responsible for referring patients to specialists and hospitals when special care and diagnostics are needed it.
If you need to see a doctor for non-emergency care or a routine procedure, the private clinics and hospitals are a good option.
A visit to a private clinic will save you time and will come at a reasonable price between 20-30 Euro for the consultation. Doctors are highly trained and often speak English, but not a bad idea to ask before booking your appointment.
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