Healthcare for expats in Ukraine

Foreigners in Ukraine often face difficulties in obtaining medical care. This is due to a lack of understanding of the medical system, communication difficulties, etc. Health insurance is the best way to solve this problem. Find out how health insurance for expats works and why it is needed in the realities of the modern world

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Ukraine's medical system has several components for expats. Foreigners can get help in both public and private clinics, but they often choose the latter. Medical services for expats are paid for. There are some exceptions, but they are few and far between and all regulated by law. The policy is a mandatory document for entering Ukraine and a guarantee of quality care in case of unforeseen situations.

Read more about the specifics of healthcare and health insurance in Ukraine for expats in this article.

Healthcare in Ukraine: what you need to know

Healthcare in Ukraine includes the following components: public healthcare, private healthcare, emergency care and the pharmacy system.

Public healthcare in Ukraine

Public healthcare in Ukraine is a healthcare system financed from the state budget and providing medical services to the population. It covers a wide range of services, from primary healthcare to highly specialised treatment.

Prices in Ukrainian state hospitals are based on several factors, which are regulated by the legislation and policies of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

The bulk of medical services in state hospitals are financed through the Medical Guarantee Programme (MGP), which is administered by the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). The NHSU contracts with hospitals to provide medical services and sets tariffs for payment. The tariff includes the cost of services, medicines, equipment and other expenses. Accordingly, patients receiving services under the PGP do not have to pay for them directly.

According to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, which comes into force on 1 January 2025, state and municipal medical institutions may introduce paid medical services. Importantly, payment for such services must be made exclusively by bank transfer, and tariffs must be made available to patients. Prices for paid services are set by hospitals themselves, but they must be reasonable and transparent.

Private healthcare in Ukraine

Private healthcare in Ukraine is a healthcare sector that provides medical services on a fee-for-service basis. It includes private clinics, medical centres, doctors' offices, laboratories and other facilities.

Private healthcare facilities are financed by patients, insurance companies and other sources. They often offer a higher level of service, modern equipment and qualified staff. In addition, the waiting time for a doctor's appointment or examination in private clinics is usually much shorter than in public ones.

Private medical facilities can specialise in certain areas of medicine, such as dentistry, cosmetology, reproductive medicine, etc. Clinics can provide services that are not included in the guaranteed package. In this case, prices are set by the institution independently, based on market analysis.

Emergency care in Ukraine

The provision of emergency medical care (EMC) in Ukraine is a critical element of the healthcare system and operates on the following basic principles

- It is provided to all those who need it, regardless of citizenship, place of residence or financial status;

- It is provided free of charge;

- It is provided quickly and efficiently.

The EMS system in Ukraine includes dispatch services, emergency (ambulance) teams, and hospital reception departments. The scope of the EMS includes cardiovascular diseases (heart attack/stroke), injuries, poisoning, complications of pregnancy and childbirth, loss of consciousness, acute respiratory diseases, etc.

Please note! You can call for emergency assistance by calling 103 or 112.

Pharmaceutical system in Ukraine

The pharmacy system in Ukraine is complex and extensive, and includes both public and private pharmacies and their networks.

Private pharmacies dominate the market, while the number of state-owned pharmacies is gradually decreasing. Private pharmacies can be either stand-alone or part of large pharmacy chains - large companies with numerous pharmacies across Ukraine.

Pharmacies are regulated by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the State Service on Medicines and Drugs Control. There are requirements for licensing of pharmacies, staff qualifications, storage and dispensing of medicines.

As of 1 April 2023, an electronic prescription for all prescription medicines was introduced in Ukraine. It can be obtained from a specialist doctor or from a doctor with whom a declaration has been concluded.

Pharmacies offer a wide range of medicines: prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, medical devices, cosmetics, products for children, etc.

In recent years, online sales of medicines have been actively developing - there are both websites of individual pharmacies and specialised online platforms.

Please note! Before using the services of an online pharmacy, check its licence.

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Do foreigners need health insurance?

Medical care, including emergency care, is provided for a fee, unless otherwise provided by international treaties or laws of Ukraine. The cost of such care is determined directly by the medical institution on the basis of resolutions of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

Expats have access to medical services on an equal footing with Ukrainian citizens, but (except in certain cases) these services are paid for. Foreigners can pay for medical care at their own expense, from an insurance policy or from other sources not prohibited by law.

Please note! If a foreigner is provided with emergency medical care under the medical guarantees programme (state budget), he or she must reimburse the state for the costs. In case of his/her refusal, this issue is resolved with the participation of the relevant foreign representative offices in Ukraine.

Prices for services are set directly by the medical institution, but the average cost of basic procedures on the market is as follows

- hospitalisation - from UAH 1,000 to 2,500

- appointment with a doctor by appointment - from UAH 400

- clinical tests - from UAH 250 to 540.

Health insurance is the easiest and most affordable way to get qualified help!

What types of health insurance are available for foreigners?

Health insurance is a mandatory document for entering Ukraine. You can take out a standard health insurance policy or an extended one with coverage of military risks.

Standard health insurance package

Depending on the chosen package of services, a tourist in Ukraine can get coverage for the following risks

- general medical services and Covid-19 treatment in Ukraine in the amount of UAH 30,000 or 100,000.

- Outpatient treatment (visit to a specialised doctor, examination and consultation, instrumental and laboratory tests) in case of an insured event.

- Medicines prescribed by a doctor to provide assistance in the event of an insured event.

- hospitalisation (stay in a ward, intensive care unit, intensive care unit, medical care prescribed by a doctor, purchase of medicines).

- Coverage of expenses for isolation of the Insured person and persons who were in close contact with the Insured person.

- COVID-19 diagnostics of the Insured person's contact persons, etc.

Insurance with war risk coverage

1. Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, including the cost of compulsory observation. Currently, there are no restrictions on coronavirus infection in Ukraine, but in case of illness, the Insured will be able to receive diagnostics, treatment and other necessary medical services in the areas covered by the policy.

2. Outpatient treatment (visit to a doctor, consultation, examination, etc.), medicines (prescribed by a doctor) and hospitalisation (stay in an intensive care unit, intensive care unit, purchase of medicines, etc.)

3. Emergency dental care. In particular, in case of acute toothache that requires emergency dental care for medical reasons (assistance is provided within the established limits).

4. Medical evacuation (if necessary)

5. Repatriation of the insured person (or his/her body in case of death) from the place of stay to the place of his/her permanent residence.

6. Accidents, injuries and deaths that may occur as a result of active or passive war risks or terrorist acts.

Important! In accordance with Part 53 of Article 7 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Insurance’, insurance covering war risks is mandatory for foreign journalists, reporters, correspondents, opinion leaders, and media representatives.

How to get health insurance in Ukraine?

To apply for a policy on the Visit Ukraine portal, you only need your international passport. To purchase insurance, you need to follow these steps:

1. Prepare your passport;

2. Choose an insurance package (that meets your needs).

3. Choose the term of insurance

4. Enter your date of birth.

5. Fill in the form with the data about the insured person (full name, e-mail, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence).

6. Sign the insurance contract (you will need to enter a special code that will be sent to the specified e-mail).

7. Pay for the insurance policy.

Benefits of health insurance for expats

1. Speed and convenience - the price is calculated instantly, and you can apply in a few clicks.

2. Optimal price and convenient payment methods.

3. Security - you can immediately receive the policy by e-mail.

4. Ability to choose the best coverage for your needs and budget

5. Support - Visit Ukraine service is available around the clock.

Choose your policy on the Visit Ukraine portal and feel confident and safe!