Ukraine Health Insurance

The former Soviet Republic of Ukraine achieved independence in 1991 and since then the Eastern European republic has undergone a bumpy transition to becoming a democratic market economy. Like its neighboring country Poland, Ukraine has historically served as a battlefield for the forces of western Europe and Russia, and as a result, Ukrainian culture, while Slavic, maintains several western influences. The country is largely comprised of flat plains, and the climate is temperate, although winters can be very cold. Like many European countries, Ukraine is experiencing demographic decline; in order to combat this, the Ukrainian government has begun to subsidize childbirth to encourage population growth, which has successfully contributed to an increase in birthrates.

As in Russia, there is a great discrepancy between life expectancy between men and women in Ukraine. Alcohol abuse and high rates of smoking are rampant among the male populace, hence their average life expectancy of only 62 years (compared to 74 years for Ukrainian women). About 7 percent of Ukraine’s total GDP is spent on health care, which amounted to about USD 445 per person in 2009. Much of the health care infrastructure in Ukraine fell into serious decline after the Soviet Union collapsed and funding from Moscow dried up. Government expenditure makes up a majority of total health care spending in Ukraine. Although 45 percent of health care expenditure comes from the private sector, a vast majority of this comes from out of pocket spending; Ukraine health insurance was introduced in the mid-1990s, but still represents less than 2 percent of private health care spending in the country.

Ukraine Health Insurance & Health Care Indicators

By European standards, Ukraine suffers disproportionately from communicable diseases. HIV infection rates are nearly triple the regional average and the number of tuberculosis patients is more than twice that of the rest of Europe. However, Ukrainians’ unhealthy lifestyles have led to a very high rate of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, various forms of cancer and diabetes. Nearly two thirds of males smoke and almost half of Ukrainian women do. As a legacy of the old Soviet system, Ukraine offers nearly universal basic health care. Hence, almost all births are attended by skilled medical personnel. Public potable water supply and sanitation are available to all, and there is a minimum standard of health care available to the entire populace. Ukraine’s recovery from the results of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdown in the mid-1980s remains a sensitive health topic for the region; the WHO operates a research centre in Kiev to study the effects of radiation in emergencies.

Ukraine’s hospitals and health centers are well-staffed and well-trained, but as with many developing countries, the most talented professionals often go overseas for more lucrative professional opportunities. Also, the physical plant and infrastructure of Ukraine’s hospitals is crumbling as funding has dried up. Although there is a growing, but nascent trend towards private care, this mostly caters to the country’s very wealthy elite. Health care financing remains a major stumbling block to the improvement of care in Ukraine as market reform and privatization coexist with the existing former Soviet infrastructure. Health care is provided free of charge as per the country’s Constitution, but in practice, informal surcharges and co-payments are a de facto requirement. Another difficulty has been the decentralization of the health care system following mid-1990s reforms, complicating the possibility of enacting national level reforms and benefiting from economies of scale. The relatively undeveloped Ukraine health insurance market has yet to close this funding and reform gap.

Ukraine Health Insurance for Tourists and Travelers

At the crossroads of Western history, Ukraine has many sites to delight the visitor. From the resort town of Yalta on the Crimean Sea to old farmhouses outside of Kiev, to colossal Soviet-era architecture, to visit Ukraine is to see history come to life. Although its economy has grown in fits and starts since the 1990s, in recent years Ukraine had the best performing stock market in the world, making it a magnet for business travelers, mostly from Europe and Central Asia. Travelers to Ukraine should be aware of several health risks in advance. With the highest HIV infection rate in Europe, visitors should be especially cautious and always use a latex condom when engaging in sexual intercourse. Avoid drinking tap water as its purity does not compare favorably with that of developed countries and poses serious health risks. Road traffic accidents are also a major risk in Ukraine, so exercise caution while driving and for safety reasons, wear brightly colored or reflective clothing while walking on or near the streets at night.

Although few expatriates use the public heath care system in Ukraine, in a survey conducted by Ernst & Young in 2010, health care ranked as one of the leading sources of dissatisfaction among foreign residents. Local Ukraine health insurance is virtually nonexistent, so most expatriates and visitors to the country will require an international health care plan. Although a reasonable standard of basic care can be found in Kiev, this is not necessarily true in the Ukrainian hinterland. Hence, many expatriates will opt for a medical evacuation rider in their health insurance plan.

Ukraine Health Insurance & International Health Care Plans

The international health insurance market offers a wide variety of plans to suit the needs of individuals, families or companies. Selecting the best plan can be challenging, so a trusted advisor like Expat Medical Insurance will ensure that you make the best-informed decision possible. Expat Medical Insurance has a team of dedicated representatives available around the clock. Contact Expat Medical Insurance today for more information.