The question of the day:
What are the differences between medical subscription and private health insurance?
Bucharest, 15th November 2012: The medical subscription market is valued at the moment at about 60 million Euros, while the private health insurance market is estimated at about 10 million Euros. However, the differences between the two types of medical care offerings are still unclear for the largest part of the public, who is not able to make an informed decision.
While many consider the two to be very alike and some even confuse one with the other, the two products are radically different, beginning with the coverage and ending with included treatments.
“The crucial difference between the medical subscription and the private insurance plans is that the first one gives limited access to one medical provider, the other opens an entire world of possibilities. The private health insurance system is underdeveloped in Romania and many citizens do not know or understand the benefits they would have from using such a plan for themselves and their families. As the leading private health insurance provider in the CEE, we try to educate and change this mentality and really show individuals all the benefits they would have for their health and peace of mind”, says Zahal Levy, President of MediHelp International.
Here are some of the most important differences between the two types of medical care packages:
|
|
Private health insurance |
Medical subscription |
|
Coverage |
International |
Local |
|
Medical provider |
Freedom of choice |
Limited to their own network |
|
Hospitalization and all related cost |
Included |
Not included |
|
Limit of coverage |
> 1 mil EUR/year/member |
Limited |
|
Cover for cancer treatment |
Included |
Not included |
|
Transplant services |
Included |
Not included |
|
Childbirth |
Included |
Not included |
|
Medication |
Included |
Not included |
|
Emergency Air evacuation |
Included |
Not included |
|
CT, MRI, PET scan |
Included |
Not included |
The medical subscription only offers access to one medical provider and does not cover hospitalization expenses or major medical interventions. Moreover, the important advantage of the private health insurance plan is that it offers broad access to a wide range of medical services rendered by a large number of international providers, covering all major medical procedures.
“We are facing a very frustrating situation here: on one hand, there is the national health system that has many flaws and doesn’t offer quality care for the citizens. On the other hand, there is the citizen who is unwilling to pay for a high standard healthcare plan but who prefers paying illegitimate money for the services provided by the public health institutions. The solution to all these problems is a fundamental reform, in line with the developed European countries, which would help all parties involved in the national health system. With tax facilities and European regulations, the Romanian state could encourage the development of private medical companies who would offer quality services and also pay income tax, thus funding the national budget”, adds Zahal Levy, President of MediHelp International.
MediHelp International is the leading private health insurance provider in Central and Eastern Europe and has been present on the Romanian market since 1999. MediHelp International is the distribution manager of BUPA International in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. In partnership with BUPA International, MediHelp successfully combines Medical Assistance with International Health Insurance for the benefit of their clients.
MediHelp International is acting as an insurance broker of Bupa International products in Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria. MediHelp International is registered with the Insurance Supervisory Commission under number RBK – 366/11.10.2006 in Romania. Cover is provided by Bupa Insurance Ltd. and Bupa Insurance Services Ltd. Bupa Insurance Services Ltd is registered in England and Wales No. 03829851. Bupa Insurance Ltd. is registered in England and Wales No. 3956433.
For more information please contact:
Lidia Pitulea, Public Advisor
The Public Advisors, Tel: 0733 300 777, E-mail: lidia.pitulea@publicadvisors.ro
