Get Clued Up on What Covered by EHIC in Bulgaria
Each EU country has reciprocal health agreements with the UK, and as long as you travel with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you are eligible for reduced or even reduced health care. Bulgaria is no exception. Visitors with valid EHIC can access health services in the same way as Bulgarians do. Despite the real simplicity of the system, however, each country has slightly different rules and regulations, and it should be noted before they visit.
While EHIC is a useful part of the documentation, it does not cover everything. To complete your EHIC, investment in an adequate single trip or annual travel insurance is highly recommended. For regular travelers, annual travel insurance is a cost effective way to stay comprehensively.
Get Clued Up on What Covered by EHIC in Bulgaria
What is Covered by EHIC in Bulgaria?
Like most European countries receiving EHIC, personal care for medical care is not covered. If you have one trip or an annual travel insurance policy, you need to check the details to see if personal care is covered. To receive EHIC benefits you should see a physician contracted to the Bulgari National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). NHIF has a useful website with some information in English about their health system, so you can get directions before you travel.
Doctor
Most doctors in Bulgaria are covered by NHIF but should check first. Every time you see a doctor, you are asked to pay a small contribution, which you can not claim back with your EHIC. The doctor takes the medicine through a receipt or prescription form, which you then take to the pharmacy. With drugs for non-chronic diseases you get a receipt form, which entitles you to free treatment or reduced medical expenses, provided that the pharmacy is registered with NHIF. Prescriptions are given for the treatment of chronic illness and this must be paid in full. The recipe fee is non-refundable, unless you have one trip or annual travel insurance.
What about the dentist?
If you need to see a dentist while in Bulgaria, you should visit one that is contracted to NHIF. Otherwise, you are responsible for paying full maintenance and are not eligible for a refund with a valid EHIC. Different insurance policies have different rules regarding dentists, so check your annual travel insurance to see what you can claim back.
And the hospital?
When you travel, the last thing you want to think about is the possibility of having to be hospitalized. However, accidents do happen and it is best to know the procedure, just in case. Inpatient care is general and private in Bulgaria, but if you only have your EHIC, you should make sure you visit the NHIF contract hospital. You will then undergo your treatment and will have two more checks after your hospital stay.
Remember… Get Clued Up on What Covered by EHIC in Bulgaria
Wherever you travel into the EU, regardless of the benefits you can exchange with your EHIC, it’s always best to protect yourself and get the best single trip or travel insurance.
Patrick Chong is the Managing Director of InsureMore, an award-winning specialist team in a single global travel and annual travel insurance policy. In addition to offering attractive offers for travel insurance, Patrick also collects and shares the best free travel competitions to help his clients get the most out of their holiday. Get Clued Up on What Covered by EHIC in Bulgaria