Just what do Bulgarians get free in thier health service ?

[kazz]

Sell Overseas Property

I'm fairly certain childrn are entitled to free health care, whether they always get it is another matter.
Heath care professionals are supposed to do all they can to help people, within the constraints of the budgets available to them and within the framework of what the government has decided is covered. They are not supposed to make value judgements about who deserves what but even in the UK that happens.
They certainly aren't supposed to say 'yes, you're entitled to it for 2.40 leva but if you want it now, not in 6 months time you have to pay me 20.' I know that happens here.
Is strikes me that there are 2 threads here....one is another corruption thread, (to which I am now contribuiting.....sorry MODS.)
The other is 'What treatment are Bulgarians entitled to receive under their NHS.
The following link might be useful for anyone who REALLY wants the answer to the question and has the time to trawl through 4 different legislative acts
http://solicitorbulgaria.com/index.php/legislation/health-law:45

[spantrout]

Sell Overseas Property

leedarkwood wrote

I am still not convince that children don't get free health care regardless of whether the parents have paid in, but I am willing to be informed otherwise.

my g/f has just told me they are supposed to but loads of doctors still "ask" for money!

there you go.

As for the person that asked about tests, 60lv for an ultrasound and 40mins in specialist's office.

[Villager]

Sell Overseas Property

Seven leva to see our GP here in Sofia.

However, don't end up having major surgery as my father-in-law just has - you'll need to arrange to replace any blood given during the op.

I think unfortunately that this is another case of 'it depends which area you live in'.

We pay annually into the Bulgarian Healthcare System. My husband recently had major surgery and there was no mention of any arranging for replacement blood. All treatment was free, including the many X-Rays, ultrasound scans and also the CAT scan that was required prior to the operation. Visits to our GP are 2.40lv.

For those that have not already 'landed', I guess this is another thing to check out before you decide where to settle in BG!

[cruicky50]

Sell Overseas Property

we pay nat ins cont, went in with a heart attack after only one year of paying, was looked after for about a week and only paid bed tax (same as a hotel 0.50 lv per night, at the time) bit like the uk - pay in get the service when required, service was good, facilities not so good, care was great and all the docs and the sister was from my village.

[gimlet]

Sell Overseas Property

The extract from the Health Act below seems to suggest that children under 16 are entitled to medical treatment without regard to the limitations of the mandatory health insurance scheme.

It also suggests that the definition of the treatment and facilities provided under the mandatory health insurance scheme would repay very careful study. I get the impression that it may be targeted just on prophylactic and chronic stuff up to a certain ceiling. It clearly doesn't include emergency treatment because that is dealt with under Art 82(1)1 outside the scope of the insurance scheme.

So if you are an emergency case it doesn't matter whether your insurance contributions are up to date. As long as you are Bulgarian! Conversely if you are a non-Bulgarian who has wriggled his or her way into the NHIF scheme on a voluntary basis you would presumably not be covered for emergencies, because that's not what it's for.

Please discuss.

Bulgarian Health Act, part 1

Article 82
(1) Beyond the scope of the mandatory health insurance of Bulgarian citizens, medical services shall be provided in relation to:
1. medical aid in emergency cases;
...........
(3) Children below the age of 16 shall be entitled to medical aid beyond the scope of the mandatory health insurance.

[mickw]

Sell Overseas Property

Taken from BTV Website published 2 days ago.

The number of Bulgarians without health insurance is growing alarmingly. Almost 25% of people in this country do not even have a personal doctor and not receive any medical attention. obshtopraktuvashtite According to the doctors in our nearly 1.8 million people do not receive any outpatient care, because they are uninsured. These people do not go for years and when the doctor is too late, the urgency within the hospital where treatment is very expensive and in most cases at the expense of the state. Doctors offer to pay the state for these patients by developing several social package to cover people without income.

Mick

[leedarkwood]

Sell Overseas Property

I think we have established that the OP's neighbour is telling porkies about their problems.

[Tiarnan]

Sell Overseas Property

Well Lee thats what I thought...Marymo is much nicer than me so never listens to my oul cynicism. Anyway the neighbour spoke again to Marymo last night. Said she spent the day with the munincipality mayor....not our local village Mayor....who gave her 300 leva towards some treatment for her Father.....guess what.?...the treatment in Varna hospital is 400 leva. Do Mayors actually have a budget to give out for medical treatment. ?
But.....and this really is the cynic in me...."Father" must be ill.....the daughter says he has,nt smoked or drunk rakia in 4 days. !!

[kazz]

Sell Overseas Property

Gimlet,
I read that paragraph Article 81 (1) as meaning that emergency treatment is provided for all; including those who have not paid. I'm basing this on the fact that it's what seems to happen.
But I could be wrong!!!

[Hoowster]

Sell Overseas Property

Kazz you are right.....If you are seriously Ill and head off to the Bolnitsa in the middle of the night they will treat you for nothing.
If you go through the system and your doctors funds run dry that month........youll have to come back the next....

So far in Bulgaria I've spent thousands of levas on .....gynaecologists, scans, on 2 Births, eye examinations etc etc......
Talk to MANY Bulgarians and you'll find it easier if you can pay! But its HARDER than that because all the SPECIALISTS arent all that good ...so you need to find the best one.
If you are many kilometres away from a major city you'll be more at risk because the specialists want to earn as much as they can so they go to the bigger towns where they can earn more.