Health care and bilateral international agreements
Health care is provided to foreign nationals on the territory of the Czech Republic on the basis of bilateral international agreements on social security, which also apply to the provision of health care, concluded between the Czech Republic and their home country, and on the basis of bilateral international agreements on cooperation in the health sector, which are both binding for the Czech Republic.
Bilateral international agreements on cooperation in the health sector
These are agreements involving i.a. provision of mutual free health care during temporary residence on the territory of the other contracting party in case of an acute illness or injury. It applies to the following countries: Yemen and Cuba. (Please note that the Article 9 of the Agreement between the Government of the Czech Republic and the Government of Afghanistan on cooperation in the field of health and medical science, providing free health care in case of an acute illness or injury, is not valid as of 1st April 2009 and its provisions can not be applied as of 1st September 2010). Furthermore, as of 10th November 2011, the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Health care between the Czechoslovak Socialist Rrepublic and the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya will cease its validity. Please note that article 10 letter d of the above-mentioned Agreement providing for free health care in case of an acute illness or injury, will not be valid from this date on and so its provisions can not be applied as of 11th November 2011. And concerning the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Health care between the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco, it will cease its validity the 23rd of January 2012 and so its article 8 providing for free health care in case of an acute ilness or injury will be no more applicable as of 24th of January 2012).
To exercise one’s right to health care under these agreements it suffices to prove one’s citizenship with a passport. Health care thus provided is reimbursed by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.
More information on these agreements can be obtained on request from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
Bilateral international agreements on social security
The second type of agreements is bilateral international agreements on social security which also involve the provision of health care. By their means the entitlement to health insurance is transferred to the territory of the other contracting party. Care provided under these agreements is limited and usually covers necessary and urgent care. It may be provided in a wider scope after prior approval by the relevant health insurer.
On the basis of agreements with Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Israel (the agreement with Israel concerns, as regards providing health care on the territory of either party, childbirth only), to exercise the right to the provision of health care, it is necessary to submit an appropriate form to a health insurer in the Czech Republic. This form has to be issued by the foreign institution at which the foreign national is insured. Upon obtaining this form, the health insurer in the Czech Republic issues “Acceptance of Registration” or a health insurance card of the insured national of the contracting state residing in the Czech Republic. This must be then shown to the doctor or health care facility.
On the basis of the still valid Agreement of the Czechoslovakian Republic and the Federative Republic of Yugoslavia on Social Insurance, free health care is provided to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To prove the entitlement to free health care, it is necessary to submit authentic documents demonstrating the entitlement to free health care on the territory of Bosnia or Herzegovina. Health care thus provided is reimbursed by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.
More information on these agreements can be obtained on request from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic or the Centre for International Reimbursements.
Precise terms, under which health care is provided, in what way and in which cases, are set out in administrative agreements that are part of the bilateral agreements. The terms may differ in individual agreements. Before going to the Czech Republic every foreign national should consult the competent authorities to see whether they satisfy the terms of insurance under an international agreement.
In the event that relevant documents, upon which the health care provided can be reimbursed, are not submitted to the physician, foreign nationals have to pay with their own means. The price for necessary and urgent care is regulated with maximum price of CZK 1.12/ point (see price regulation of the Ministry of Health no. 1/2010/DZP in Bulletin of Ministry of Health of the 1st January 2011).