Belarus Health Insurance

A medium sized country, by Eastern European standards, with a population of about 9.5 million, the Republic of Belarus is land-locked by Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Known for its mild climate, vast natural woodlands, some well-preserved and varied architecture, and cultural exhibits including arts and music, Belarus is popular with tourists year-round. Formerly part of the Soviet Union, Belarus gained independence in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet empire and still maintains close ties with Russia, as a member of the Union of Russia and Belarus. Favoring what it called “market socialism” the largely government-controlled economy showed very strong growth from the mid-1990's through 2009, commonly seeing 5-10% growth due to strict (often controversial) state regulation. However, rapid inflation and 1% unemployment resulted in a massive 56% currency devaluation in May 2011 that has left many Belarusians in sore financial straits. The effects of this setback on its citizens is continuing to unfold, and continually holding to Soviet values has resulted in a mixed bag of good and points regarding life in Belarus. One area of concern for many is the quality of healthcare.

Belarus’ Healthcare System and Insurance Concerns

As is commonly the case in former-Soviet countries, Belarus has a plethora of basic medical facilities. What it lacks are skilled specialists and modern equipment to treat critical care conditions and perform complex procedures. The compulsory health care system in use in Belarus gives free medical treatment to all citizens through public healthcare outlets. Additionally, there is a much smaller private medical industry serving the country that offers treatment at cost to the patient. The majority of care is distributed through the approximately 500 public clinics, 834 public hospitals (of which 422 small rural hospital polyclinics), and an estimated 42,000 doctors along with over 110,000 medical staff. These are amazingly high figures given the population, but due to low average pay and a lack of high-level training, care continues to be marginal at best. Like most countries with a large health care network, Belarus relies heavily on patient referrals from smaller facilities to larger and resultantly, the Rural Health Clinics are usually unable to treat many conditions beyond basic ailments as they are only staffed by one general practitioner, a group of nurses, and a mid-wife.

Westerners visiting or residing in Belarus will find the general condition of most public heath facilities below their required standards. Long wait times, poor bed-side manner, few basic services such as food, television, and telephones for patients, and reports of frequent preferential treatment for wealthier patients in return for bribes make the average trip to the hospital unenjoyable. Foreigners may find communication difficult in most public healthcare facilities as most personnel only speak Russian and Belarusian. Finally, ambulance services are not reliable, often taking half an hour to arrive then being poorly equipped for emergencies.

Private care is a marked improvement over its public counterpart, though financial constraints of the average Belarusian keep most away and due to strict trade regulations by the government, few foreign companies have ventured into Belarus. The majority of private practitioners are locally trained doctors offering such treatments as plastic surgery, dental care, and vision correction. A few of the best private hospitals are available in the capitol, Minsk. Namely, Nordin Medical Center, Kravira (a British/Belarusian partnership facility), and Lode which is a private consultancy/clinic. Many doctors at these locations speak English as their primary clientèle is foreigners. Aside from the few private offerings inside Belarus, many expatriates choose to seek treatment in nearby Lithuania or farther afield in Western Europe when their situation allows.

A major health concern facing Belarus are the long-term after-effects of the meltdown of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant located very near the Belarus/Ukraine border which still poses radiation poisoning issues, particularly in the south and has been linked to a sharp rise in occurrence of cancer, particularly in children. Tuberculosis too, is higher than most of its European counterparts and drug and alcohol abuse are prevalent.

Belarus Medical Insurance Information

As previously stated, Belarus health insurance is compulsory for all citizens and permanent residents. Unlike the European Union, it is provided at no charge and is funded entirely through the government from income taxes remitted by employees and employers. As a result, all have free access to most health care, strangely however prescribed drugs for outpatient care must be paid for out of pocket and as a result not a few tend to wait for their condition to worsen to the point of requiring hospitalization so that all their care will be free. All persons designated vulnerable, such as pregnant women, terminally ill, and military veterans do not pay for any prescriptions. Other care not deemed necessary must be paid for out of pocket by any choosing to receive it.

It is critical to point out that as of October 1, 2000 according to Belarus law all foreigners visiting or residing in Belarus are required to carry a minimum of US$5,000 in liability health care coverage for their entire stay in the country. The source of this coverage is up to the discretion of each individual and minimum-requirement Belarus medical insurance is available for purchase from the government, or visitors and expatriates can choose to purchase private Belarus health insurance from a local carrier or international company. Please note, government sourced insurance is only valid at public healthcare outlets while private insurance is honored at private facilities. Many prefer international plans as these, depending on the plan purchased, have options for medical evacuation and allow non-emergency care outside Belarus should it be desired.

Belarus Travel Health Insurance Information

Recent discontent with the government amongst some in Belarus has caused protests and marches to become commonplace, especially in the cities. Some of these protests have ended in violence and it is therefore not advisable for foreigners to venture too closely to them. Further warnings regarding violence were issued by many travel advisory boards after an explosion in the Minsk subway system on April 11, 2011 killed 14 and injured over 200 others. The explosion is believed to be an act of terrorism. A similar explosion occurred in 2008.

Visitors to Belarus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, should consider vaccinations against hepatitis A and B and ensure that all routine vaccines are up to date. Hiking is a popular pass-time in Belarus but tick-borne encephalitis is endemic in the area, so hikers should protect themselves when in wooded areas.

The state government requires that all persons register their location within five working days of arrival in Belarus. Most hotels will do this free of charge, but it is up to each visitor to ensure they comply with the law as fines can be imposed.

Belarus Expat Medical Insurance

Given the condition of most healthcare offerings in Belarus and the legal requirement to have coverage, it makes sense to purchase Belarus health insurance from a provider that will ensure your plan is accepted and adequate to suit your needs. Expat Medical Insurance will pair you with the package that meets and exceeds government requirements and provides you the peace of mind you demand when traveling or relocating to a country with limited medical resources. We offer comprehensive packages for all ages, itineraries, budgets and locations. Contact Expat Medical Insurance for a free consultation with a global medical insurance expert for more information.