Within less than fifteen years of its formation, Montenegro has emerged as a popular expatriate destination. And expats from different parts of the world are exploring work opportunities in Montenegro.
To make the most of your stay in the country, make sure you have adequate expatriate health insurance. Read on to plan your move to this beautiful country on the shores of the lovely Adriatic Sea.
Montenegro Healthcare System
The public healthcare system and health insurance in Montenegro are mainly managed by the following two government policies:
- Law on Healthcare
- Law on Health Insurance
According to the Law on Healthcare, all Montenegro citizens are entitled to mandatory health insurance (MHI). The MHI is mostly funded by the Montenegro Republic Health Insurance Fund. Montenegro is a relatively new country and is struggling to fund its health expenditures.
Though it was once considered to have the most backward healthcare in all of Europe, Montenegro has been working to improve its public healthcare facilities. However, even today, it is facing a shortage of pharmacists, midwives, nurses, and specialist doctors. Also, its medical infrastructure has a long way to go before it can catch up with the rest of Europe.
The Montenegrin public healthcare system faces severe issues like:
- Difficulty in scheduling routine check-ups for residents
- Scarcity of basic medical supplies
- Lack of medical staff in public hospitals and testing centers
- Long waiting times for medical attention
- Shortage of English-speaking medical staff
- Informal payment systems, causing high cash payments and out-of-pocket expenses
In most cases, foreign expats living in Montenegro are not eligible for MHI health services. For members of the EU/EEA, access to MHI healthcare facilities depends on the reciprocal healthcare agreement of their home country with the Republic of Montenegro.
A lot of Montenegro residents prefer to rely on voluntary health insurance plans. Private insurance companies offer voluntary health insurance plans and charge an insurance premium.
Montenegro Expat Health Insurance
A vast majority of expats relocating to Montenegro depend on a Montenegro expat health insurance plan for their health insurance requirements. This type of plan makes sure your costs of private healthcare will be covered.
This means you can confidently access private facilities for good-quality medical attention, English-speaking doctors, and modern medical equipment. It also provides you the option of medical evacuation in case of health emergencies and repatriation to your home country or a neighboring country if the need arises.
Depending on the plan that you choose, a Montenegro expat health insurance provides coverage for:
- Treatment at premium healthcare facilities including hospitalization, surgery, specialist doctor consultations, and follow-up visits
- Aesthetic treatments, spa treatments, and cosmetic care
- Advanced dental treatments
- Maternity care
- Neonatal and pediatric medical attention
- Physiotherapy
- Psychiatric help and rehabilitation facilities
- Prescription medication
