Lithuanian compulsory health insurance system introduced to third-country nationals
Vilnius Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF) organised a remote seminar, hosted by the International House Vilnius, for third-country nationals, residing in Vilnius, on the basic aspects of the Lithuanian healthcare system.
Rūta Liaudanskienė, Adviser of Vilnius THIF Population Service Division, introduced the processes of the Lithuanian healthcare system, guarantees, offered by the compulsory health insurance (CHI) and the procedures of receiving healthcare services, covered by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF), for anyone covered by the insurance.
The representative of health insurance funds explained the cases, when foreigners, including third-country nationals, are covered by the insurance. She emphasized the major conditions of using the guarantees, offered by the CHIF – having a residence permit and paying CHIF contributions, i.e. these payments must be covered by employers or the people themselves every moth, unless they are eligible for state support.
Liaudanskienė also explained that people intending to receive CHIF-covered healthcare services should inquire about primary healthcare services at their general healthcare facilities that they’re registered with, while a visit to a doctor, specialising in a certain field, will require a referral.
It should be noted that in all cases it is necessary to contact a medical facility (public or private) that has an agreement with the Health Insurance Fund for the necessary services. Patients can choose their general healthcare physicians and facilities based on convenience, availability of services, waiting time and other needs. The choice is wide – the number of healthcare facilities that have signed agreements with health insurance funds in Vilnius alone is more than 70.
Third-country nationals, covered by insurance in Lithuania, are eligible to the guarantees of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Card holders travelling in the European Union (except Denmark), Lichtenstein, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom can have their essential medical costs reimbursed by the national health insurance. Insured persons can pick up their EHIC from their territorial health insurance fund department free of charge.
Answering audience questions, the representative explained the procedure of changing a general healthcare physician and facility. She also drew attention to the fact that one person can be registered only at a single healthcare facility at the same time. The audience was particularly interested in the list of reimbursed medicine and the amounts that they still need to pay themselves. They also inquired about compulsory health insurance for newborns, compensated assisted reproduction services, and other conditions and guarantees of the Lithuanian compulsory health insurance.
Facilities, offering general healthcare services in Vilnius were introduced by Vilnius City Municipality. A presentation of the Lithuanian CHI system is available here.
Information of Vilnius Territorial Health Insurance Fund
(Piktochart photo)
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Last updated: 07-04-2022
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