Bosnia Health Insurance

Bosnia and Herzegovina is located in the Balkan region of Southeastern Europe. It shares borders with Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia and it has a small portion of coastline alongside the Adriatic Sea. Its population is estimated at 3.85 million people and its capital city is Sarajevo. Formerly part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Bosnia declared its independence in 1992 following the end of the Yugoslav Wars. A three year civil war followed involving the country’s three major ethnic groups – Bosnians, Serbs and Croats. Bosnia is now governed by a parliamentary republic with a three member Presidency representing each ethnic group. Significant damage to the country’s infrastructure during the civil war disrupted economic growth and Bosnian GDP fell by a remarkable 75 percent in the mid 1990s. It is hoped that sustained foreign direct investment, a growing tourism industry and a possible application for membership of the European Union will help Bosnia’s post war development and raise its international profile.

Bosnia Health Care and Insurance

The Ministry of Health, with support from individual Cantonal Ministries of Health, is responsible for the provision of health care services in Bosnia. Health care services consist mainly of primary and secondary services delivered through a network of health centers, stations, clinics and hospitals. The majority of health facilities are operated by the state and Bosnian citizens are required by law to contribute to a Federal Health Insurance Fund which was created to oversee the distribution of health funds throughout the various Cantonal Ministries. The federal government provides the majority of funding for the scheme, in excess of 50 percent, which enables the unemployed, old age pensioners and other disadvantaged members of society to receive public health care. Expatriates, tourists and non-nationals in Bosnia who require medical attention are not covered by the domestic insurance fund and are required to pay in cash for services received. Purchasing an international Bosnia health insurance policy is therefore strongly advised.

Health stations and health centers offer primary health care services. Health centers are staffed by a small team of nurses and physicians and offer a variety of treatments including pediatric services, dental, maternal and general primary health care. Health stations, or Ambulantas as they are known locally, are essentially clinics which provide similar out-patient services to those available at health centers. These health stations or clinics in many cases operate in tandem with a health center, particularly in rural areas. A number of specialist physicians are based in health stations and consequently some treatments can be more expensive.

Secondary level services are provided by the country’s hospitals, the majority of which are located in the capital city Sarajevo. District, specialist and general hospitals, in conjunction with clinical centers form the hospital network and all are capable of providing in-patient, out-patient and emergency services. There is a small private for profit health industry in Bosnia which consists of a low number of health clinics and hospitals. Private health facilities possess modern equipment, highly trained personnel and can provide swift access to treatment. All citizens are required to pay in cash for treatment received at private facilities. As these costs can be expensive, expatriates and travelers are urged to purchase an international Bosnia health insurance policy.

Bosnia Travel Insurance Concerns

Although the Bosnian government prides itself on being able to offer universal primary health care coverage to all citizens, this care and treatment is not up to international standard. There are significant shortages of trained medical personnel, resulting in a high patient to doctor ratio. Waiting times can be frustratingly long and patients seeking certain surgical procedures may have to wait for a number of months. There is also a lack of specialist personnel resulting in some patients being required to travel abroad, usually to Germany, for medical assistance. Health sector workers are poorly paid and lack the motivation required to provide an improved service. Corruption is rife and many patients are willing to make under the table payments to avoid waiting times and speed up access to treatment.

The health care system suffers from inadequate financing and there is constant pressure on the government to make funds available. Administration staff accounts for a majority of health personnel and this is where the bulk of health spending goes. Unemployment rates are high and an ageing population are placing increasing burden on the health care system. Over 30 percent of the female adult population and over 50 percent of males smoke and drink heavily. Illnesses and diseases associated with excessive cigarette and alcohol consumption are adding strain on public health facilities. Private health facilities in Bosnia suffer from no such problems and expatriates and travelers are encouraged to use private clinics or hospitals if possible. Purchasing an international Bosnia health insurance policy will protect against the cost of treatment at such facilities.

Expatriates and travelers visiting the Balkan region for the first time should consult with a travel health specialist prior to their arrival in the country. Vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid and Rabies, in addition to the routine vaccination are advised. A high number of Rabies cases are reported each year and wild or stray animals should be avoided. Travelers visiting mountainous or rural areas should be aware that large tracts of land are littered with unexploded ordnance from the war, particularly landmines. Warning signs are prominent and hikers or hill walkers are advised not to leave designated routes or walkways.

Bosnia Expat Health Insurance

Health facilities in Bosnia are not of the standard an expatriate or experience traveler has come to expect and private health facilities should be used where available. Basic health care and treatments are offered although it should be noted that specialist or complicated procedures require an evacuation to a country with state of the art facilities. Purchasing private health insurance is strongly advised and Expat Medical Insurance can help you ascertain which insurance policy is best suited to you and your family or travel companions. Policies can be adjusted to include certain benefits such as in-patient, maternity services, dental and more. For more information on Bosnia international health insurance, global health insurance policies or for a free quote, please contact one of our advisors today.