Health Insurance in Macedonia, Europe

Information expatriation

Capital City: Skopje
Total area:25,713 km2
Population: 2,038,000
Money: Currency Converter
Time Zone: List of time zones by country
Calling Code: +389 XXX

Practical Information:

Wikipedia Macedonia

Health Product: Travel Insurance and Health insurance
Health Insurance information and Sanitary Risk: World Health Map
BLOG: Expat Health insurance Information

Here is a brief description of the healthcare system in the country:

·      Macedonia has a universal healthcare system funded by compulsory health insurance contributions from employers and employees.

·      Services covered include outpatient and inpatient care, medicine, dental care, medical devices and emergency transport.

·      Care is provided through primary facilities, general and specialty hospitals, and private practices.

·      However, the system suffers from underfunding, lack of healthcare professionals and uneven quality between urban and rural areas.

·      Around 8% of GDP is spent on healthcare, below other European nations.

·      Out-of-pocket costs still make up over 30% of total spending due to low wages and informal payments.

·      Reforms aim to modernize facilities, digitize records, and improve administrative management.

Here are some key health considerations for expatriates living in the country:

·      Purchase compulsory basic health insurance through the Macedonian Health Insurance Fund.

·      Consider supplemental private insurance for faster access to specialist care.

·      Quality may vary significantly between well-equipped urban hospitals and rural clinics.

·      Bring needed prescription medications due to occasional spot shortages.

·      Learn basic medical terms in Macedonian as staff vary in English fluency.

·      Rural roads are poor, so have an evacuation plan in place involving your employer and hospitals.

·      Keep immunizations like hepatitis A/B up to date given sanitation infrastructure limitations outside cities.

·      Be aware of respiratory/gastrointestinal illness risks from infrastructure/hygiene factors.

·      Out-of-pocket costs for non-covered services still possible despite insurance.