With the Russian economy growing steadily, this is the perfect time to relocate to Russia for work or business. Work opportunities in Russia are financially as well as experientially rewarding. The first quarter of 2019 saw almost 2.4 million expats working in Russia.
If you’re an English speaker thinking that the only job that you may be able to do in Russia is that of an English teacher or a translator, you definitely need to think again. Surprisingly, there is wide range of jobs available for English speakers in different fields including accounting & financial consulting, public relations, copywriting, journalism, hospitality, and medicine.
Excited about exploring job prospects in Russia? Considering moving to Russia for better opportunities? Have you applied for a work permit in Russia? Then, this is the time for you to learn about the Russian public healthcare system and why it is important to buy Russian expat health insurance.
Read on for all you need to know about the Russian healthcare system and Russian expatriate health insurance as an expat relocating to Russia.
Public Healthcare in Russia
The public healthcare system in Russia is governed by the Russian Ministry of Health. Russian public healthcare provides several free services that are funded by both federal as well as regional government:
- Emergency medical care: ambulance; hospital or clinic charges for diseases including tuberculosis, AIDS, skin disorders, drug addiction, venereal diseases, and psychiatric disorders
- Diagnosis and treatment of contagious diseases and parasitic ailments
- Pregnancy and maternity care
- Pediatric care
However, it doesn’t include the following:
- Cosmetic surgery
- Alternative therapy
- Homeopathy medication
- Coverage of most types of dental treatments
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Educational therapy
Under the Obligatory Medical Insurance (OMI) plan, all Russian citizens and residents are eligible to receive free healthcare through the Russian public healthcare system. In most cases, residents from the EU (European Union) who possess the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) are also eligible for public healthcare in Russia.
The public healthcare system of Russia is accessible to expatriates and foreigners through the OMI. In the case of people who are relocating to Russia on a work permit, the employer is usually responsible for procuring the OMI plan and paying for its monthly charges. Several foreign residents can also procure health insurance through the voluntary healthcare insurance (VHI) plan, offered by employers as supplementary insurance to its employees.
Russia’s Public Healthcare System and Its Challenges
Though the Russian public healthcare system seems to be free, in reality, it is not. Several problems and challenges make the public healthcare system of Russia a problem for expats.
- The average cost of procuring the OMI is paid monthly and may amount to almost 2-3% of your salary. In most cases, it may be deducted from your final pay package.
- There is a major language barrier in most Russian public healthcare systems and an acute shortage of English-speaking staff.
- Russia is a huge country, and unfortunately, there is a significant lack of medical infrastructure in smaller centers outside Moscow and St. Petersburg.
- There also exists a shortage of doctors, nursing staff, and paramedical staff in the public healthcare system in Russia.
- There is a scarcity of modern equipment and diagnostic machinery due to lack of funds.
- Due to a lack of types of equipment and a shortage of medical experts, there is a long waiting period for treatment, and patients may not get necessary emergency services when needed.
- There are very few public cancer screening centers outside Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Due to these issues and many other challenges, the ranking of the efficiency of the Russian public healthcare system stood last among 55 developed countries.
If you are looking for efficient and up-to-date health services during your stay in Russia, you are sure to need a Russia expat medical care insurance policy.
Understanding Russia Expat Healthcare Insurance
If you are moving to Russia for business opportunities, employment, social reasons, or anything else and plan to stay there for a long time, you need an expat health insurance plan. An expat health insurance plan covers you for costs associated with all kinds of medical needs you may experience in Russia.
Why is it important to buy an expat healthcare insurance for Russia?
Expat insurance gives you the comfort of making your healthcare in Russia faster, easier, and simpler. Expat health insurance in Russia provides benefits like:
- Zero dependence on the public healthcare system
- Access to private healthcare centers that offer modern healthcare facilities and state-of-the-art medical infrastructure
- Access to private hospitals across Russia as well as different parts of the world
- Access to speedy and emergency healthcare, which is not available under the Russian public health insurance
To find the perfect expat health insurance for Russia, use this very website to compare several options. Find the most suitable plan considering your age, pre-existing conditions, number of family members, geographical preferences, duration, and other personal preferences.
Make sure your expat health insurance plan gets you add-on facilities like dental care, maternity care, children’s healthcare, and optical care. Start your work journey in Russia without having to worry about your health. Purchase a Russian expat insurance plan for safety, simplicity, and security.