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31-10-2022

Questions Ukrainian citizens had regarding healthcare

Iliustracija

Panevėžys Educational Centre hosted the second meeting between representatives of the health insurance funds and Ukrainian citizens that had to leave their country due to the military action of the Russian Federation.

VšĮ Septynios Akimirkos, organising various services and activities for refugees of war, invited experts from the Population Service and Control divisions of Panevėžys Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF), who answered all questions that Ukrainians had regarding health insurance and free healthcare services. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Panevėžys city polyclinic.

Sigita Paulauskienė, Head of the Population Service Division at Panevėžys THIF, explained the conditions that apply to Ukrainian citizens, who have left their country due to hostilities and seek for free healthcare in Lithuania. She highlighted that all Ukrainian refugees of war registered at the Migration Department are assigned an electronic certified extract code, which enables them to receive free necessary medical assistance in Lithuania.

In terms of services that can be obtained without a health insurance, Edgaras Voras, Head of the Control Division, said that these would include emergency medical assistance, pregnancy care and labour assistance. Also prescription medicine, Covid-19 vaccines, medical rehabilitation after a heart attack or a stroke, joint replacement and other injuries. In other words, besides the emergency assistance, patients are provided with level I, II and III services, without which the health condition could deteriorate to the extent that patients need emergency medical care.

THIF representatives also noted that Ukrainian citizens, covered by the Lithuanian compulsory health insurance (CHI) can receive the same free healthcare services as CHI-covered Lithuanians. These services will be covered from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF).

Since THIF has recorded a number of cases of Ukrainians being employed, but not covered by CHI, the representatives noted that anyone working in Lithuania without a temporary residence permit (with a work visa), are not covered by CHI, as in such case employers do not pay CHI contributions for their employees. Ukrainians were advised to contact Sodra to find out if their employers pay their CHI contributions and, should it turn out that they don’t despite the fact that a Lithuanian temporary residence permit was issued, they should contact their employer to change the employment agreement.

It was emphasized that Ukrainian citizens with a temporary residence permit that have been working for at least 6 months in our country can register at the Employment Services and obtain a status of an unemployed person.

Participants of the meeting inquired if they can purchase CHI or just register as self-employed without really implementing any economic activity, as everyone with self-employment or business certificates are covered by CHI. The refugees were informed that: Getting a CHI coverage by simply buying it is impossible, what they can do is get a private health insurance. Meanwhile, fictitious self-employment is not allowed.

Representatives of Panevėžys THIF gave an example of a pensioner or a disabled person coming from Ukraine and submitting their documents and insurance application to the health insurance funds. THIF staff then establishes their insurance and want to inform them by phone. Unfortunately, in many cases the phone is off or nobody answers. It then turns out that the person has already gone to a medical facility and the facility is asking to pay for the services. It was emphasized that medical facilities have no other choice than ask for payment, as CHI coverage starts to work only after processing the documents. That is why it is necessary to wait for the call from THIF first and, of course, answer the phone (the THIF staff will try the next day if nobody answers).  Applicants also receive notices by e-mail, if an address was provided. In case of no phone number of e-mail, the THIF will send an official answer by registered mail.

Ukrainian refugees asked lots of various questions: on student insurance, if pensioners need to come to THIF themselves, if insurance for children can be settled by only one of the parents coming with all the documents, also on the website to check one’s insurance status, etc. There was also some dissatisfaction about having to wait 2-4 weeks in queues for a doctor’s appointment. Some asked why a general physician cannot register them with an expert doctor or give a referral, when asked, etc.

In answering these questions, the THIF representatives were aided by the medical staff from Panevėžys city polyclinic, including a Ukrainian, who studied and has been working in Lithuania. The medical staff asked for some understanding, explaining that GP workloads are really high in Lithuania and that there is also a great shortage of expert doctors. It was noted that the guests of our country should understand that the terms and conditions of getting to a doctor, also referrals for expert consultations in Lithuania is a little different from those in Ukraine. In our country, 85 per cent of the healthcare issues are entrusted with a general physician. The need for a consultation is established by the physician too. Getting to an expert doctor in 2 or 3 weeks is regarded as fast, as the queues are usually much longer. It was emphasized that CHI-covered Ukrainian citizens are provided with the same healthcare conditions as Lithuanians, while those that are entitled to the necessary medical services only can get even more than Lithuanian citizens with a CHI.

The Ukrainians were also informed that requests to pay for materials and medical aids at the dentist are justified as Lithuanians pay for these too. THIF representatives also added that patients wishing to receive more expensive healthcare services, medicine or procedures than recommended by the doctor, can pay the price difference and explained how to do it.
A memo for Ukrainian refugees on healthcare services in Lithuania in various languages is available here. Check your CHI status here.

(Panevėžys THIF photo)

Information of Panevėžys territorial division of the Health Insurance Fund

The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email[email protected]or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222

Last updated: 16-01-2023

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