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Healthcare System information/Insurance news |
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The healthcare system in Austria is comprised of both the compulsory state funded healthcare sector and a private healthcare sector. Under the public system, both employers and employees make equal contribution to the system on a monthly basis, which is deducted directly from their salary. The amount of contribution varies according to the magnitude of the job employed. In general, the public healthcare system includes basic health and dental treatment, specialist consultations for the stay in public hospitals, and medication is also covered. Family dependants are automatically covered through the insurance of the employed family member. The State pays for the care of vulnerable groups like the disabled.
For people who are entitled to public healthcare, the State will issue them with an e-card. This e-card system allows the Austrian Social Security system to monitor all health claims electronically. An individual is required to present the e-card when visiting the doctor. If an individual is covered by public healthcare and receives treatment from a private doctor or private hospital, he may be entitled to a partial refund of payment from the public insurance provider.
Austria has a network of state-maintained public and privately owned hospitals. The quality of hospital rooms vary according to the quality of an individual’s health insurance scheme. Privately insured patients normally will get a single or double room. State insured patients may have to share a room with two or three other people. Hospital fees are expensive in Austria. If you are not entitled to public healthcare, it is important to put in place a private insurance scheme, otherwise an individual will be required to make an out-of-pocket payment. In case of an emergency, although free treatment is provided to stabilise the condition, however, as soon as the patient is admitted into hospital, fees will be incurred, patient will have a choice to opt for the stay in public or private hospitals.
A major challenge facing the Austrian healthcare system is the reduction in healthcare expenditure. Currently, the total healthcare expenditure as a % of GDP in Austria is about 9.9%, compared to 2005 at 10.3%. Comparatively, the healthcare expenditure in Austria is much lower than 15.3% in the USA. Moreover, the country is facing an increase in ageing population and high utilisation of in-patient care. The average life expectancy at birth for citizens of Austria is 79.5 years, about 20% of the population is over 60 years of age. Hospital bed capacities and utilisation in Austria are high, it is about 76 beds per 10,000 population compared to 32 per 10,000 population in the USA. Whilst traveling or working in Austria, in order to give you and your family full protection on healthcare, it is recommended to put in place an International Health Insurance.
Globalsurance is a one-stop insurance brokerage service provider for you when travelling to Austria. We offer a wide range of policies to meet your individual needs, including benefits such as dental, maternity, inpatient, outpatient, specialist consultations and many others. Contact our professional advisers today to enjoy a full insurance protection such as Expat Health Insurance for yourself and your family.
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