Talking about healthcare on return to Lithuania
In recent years, as many people from different countries have been working remotely, and as more and more Lithuanians are considering returning to their home country, the topic of compulsory health insurance (CHI) has become particularly relevant. The main aspects of the scheme were presented and the participants’ questions were answered by the Vilnius Territorial Health Insurance Fund (THIF) in a webinar organised by the Migration Information Centre “I Choose Lithuania”.
At the invitation of the Centre, Viktorija Klinavičienė, Advisor of the Population Service Division of Vilnius THIF, presented the essence of the country’s compulsory health insurance and its principles at the seminar “Health Care upon Return to Lithuania” for Lithuanians who have returned or are considering returning to Lithuania. She explained to the participants who is considered to be covered by the CHI in Lithuania and how health care services are paid for by the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF).
The representative of the Vilnius THIF clearly outlined what is needed to be insured for Lithuanian citizens and foreigners. Regardless of the nationality of the person, it is necessary to participate in the CHI system, i.e. to insure with state funds, to insure on the basis of an employment relationship or to insure independently (to pay a fixed amount of CHI contributions to “Sodra” each month). She explained in detail the conditions for European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) nationals or third-country nationals.
V. Klinavičienė explained that medical services covered by the CHIF are available not only to people insured in Lithuania, but also in other EU and EEA countries. Necessary medical assistance is provided to holders of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), planned services referred to in document S2 — to persons who submitted this document, all services as Lithuanian insured — to people who submitted the document S1.
It was also explained how insured persons can get the healthcare services they need, how to register with a primary healthcare institution (polyclinic, family medicine centre, etc.), what services can be provided by a family doctor, how to refer to specialists, and the essential conditions for obtaining reimbursable medical services.
Speaking about the most important aspects of hospitalisation, V. Klinavičienė paid more attention to childbirth, as this service is of particular interest to visitors from abroad. Maternity services are covered by the CHIF if the mother is insured in Lithuania or has an S2 or S1 document, or in some cases an EHIC.
Finally, the representative of the Vilnius THIF stressed that in Lithuania, persons insured with CHI do not have to pay extra for medical services if they go to medical institutions that have concluded agreements with the THIF, and in the cases of specialist doctors and hospital treatment - if they have a referral from a doctor.
Insured persons may have to pay if they go to a medical institution that does not have an agreement with the THIF, if they see a specialist without a referral, if they voluntarily opt for services, materials, procedures that are additional, chargeable, or more expensive than the reimbursed services, materials, procedures, and in certain other cases. In order to compensate for emergency medical services in the event of temporary stays in other EU or EEA countries, it is necessary to have an EHIC.
The participants of the seminar were extremely active. They asked and received immediate answers to their questions about the insurance of foreigners studying in Lithuania, the amount of the CHI premium, payment and entry into force of the insurance, declaration of residence and the necessity to pay the CHI premium with S1 or S2 document, the validity of the parents’ CHI for minor children, the insurance of those who periodically reside abroad or in Lithuania, as well as the possibility of receiving medical treatment in Lithuania when one permanently resides and works abroad and how to get back the money paid unjustifiably in a medical treatment institution for medical treatment.
Vilnius THIF hopes that the seminar provided the participants with much-needed knowledge about the Lithuanian health system, made it easier for those who have decided to return to their home country, and encouraged compatriots who are still considering the decision to make a positive decision.
The announcement can be found in the section “Events and Announcements” -> “Territorial Patient Funds” -> “Vilnius Territorial Health Insurance Fund”: “Health care on return to Lithuania”, and for people working or living abroad - in the section “Relevant for people working or living abroad”
Vilnius Territorial Health Insurance Fund information
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