International Health Insurance in Azerbaijan For Expats
Health Insurance in Azerbaijan for Expats and Foreigners
Expats should purchase international health insurance to ensure access to high-quality care during their time in Azerbaijan. Only Azerbaijan citizens have access to free healthcare in the country, so foreigners will need to secure their own health insurance policies.
International health insurance offers comprehensive medical benefits, as well as the advantage of global coverage. This means expats can be covered during their time in Azerbaijan, and other countries throughout their other globe-trotting adventures.
This guide provides information about the Azerbaijan healthcare system and further outlines the key health insurance options available in Azerbaijan. We will also discuss travel and safety tips for expats visiting the country.
Read on to learn more, or click here to obtain a no-obligation, free quote.
The Healthcare System in Azerbaijan
Healthcare in Azerbaijan is provided by public and private healthcare institutions and regulated through the Ministry of Healthcare. Public hospitals are run by the state and medical care is offered free of charge for Azerbaijani residents. Most specialized clinics and hospitals are located in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s medical care facilities are adequate, but still of lesser quality than those in Western countries. It is generally recommended that expats only use the country’s public healthcare facilities for basic medical needs.
The facilities located in rural areas outside of Baku are extremely limited by the lack of doctors, proper facilities, and issues in supplying sufficient electricity. Rural facilities should only be trusted for basic checkups and shouldn’t be used for any intrusive exams or medical procedures.
Azerbaijan’s Healthcare System Transformation
Azerbaijan has transformed its healthcare system in recent years with the introduction of compulsory health insurance. Mandatory health insurance in Azerbaijan is managed by The State Agency on Compulsory Health Insurance and is for Azerbaijani citizens.
Additionally, the government has enhanced the efficiency of healthcare, implementing infrastructure projects, and application of effective policies that are aimed at increasing the transparency of the healthcare system in the country.
Public Health Insurance in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani citizens have access to free public health insurance to cover their medical needs. The standard benefits package under the mandatory health insurance system in Azerbaijan consists of medical services such as:
- Emergency (including ambulance service);
- Primary healthcare (family physician);
- Outpatient services;
- Inpatient services;
- Instrumental diagnostics (USI, CT, MRT, etc.);
- Physiotherapy;
- Laboratory;
- Pregnancy and delivery;
- Urgent vaccinations (anti-rabic, anti-tetanus, anti-snake venom, etc.);
- Scheduled child vaccinations;
- Surgeries (including expensive heart surgeries, cochlear implantations, etc.);
- Specialized continuing healthcare
Private Health Insurance in Azerbaijan
Private health insurance in Azerbaijan is available through local and international health insurance providers. Expats often favor international insurance companies for their comprehensive coverage and global benefits. Private insurance also provides access to superior medical facilities.
While private healthcare facilities have a higher standard of care, this is accompanied by higher medical costs as well. Private health insurance will help expats with expensive private medical bills, ensuring they do not have to sacrifice their quality of care for their budget.
The private healthcare sector in Azerbaijan is developing and provides expats with more options to choose from when it comes to their health. Additionally, expats have more than one option for their health insurance policy options.
International Health Insurance Options for Expats in Azerbaijan
Expats’ international health insurance options in Azerbaijan include travel or long-term health insurance policies. Travel insurance is typically designed for short-term coverage, and is perfect for vacations or short trips.
For expats planning an extended stay in Azerbaijan, a more comprehensive and long-term healthcare solution is necessary. This need is effectively met by international health insurance plans.
Travel Insurance for Azerbaijan
Expats visiting Azerbaijan on vacation or other short-term travel can use a travel insurance policy to protect them from specific financial risks and losses that may arise during their trip. These losses may include lost luggage, and canceled or delayed flights.
The right travel insurance will depend on your budget, your planned activities, and your specific health needs. Additionally, travel insurance can offer medical emergency coverage and medical evacuation. This can offer great peace of mind for expats during their time abroad.
At Pacific Prime, we are partnered with some of the world’s top travel insurance companies, like Vumi and IMG Global. Reach out to us or check out our free plan comparison tool to hear more about top travel insurance plans
Receiving Medical Care in Azerbaijan as an Expat
Expats can receive care in Azerbaijan through public or private clinics, hospitals, or polyclinics. Polyclinics offer a combination of primary care and outpatient specialized services. international patients are frequently treated at Bona Dea International Hospital in Baku.
Emergency Services
There are clinics available in Azerbaijan that offer 24-hour care and limited emergency support, but in the case of a serious medical emergency, medical evacuation may be necessary. This may mean you are taken to a neighboring country for treatment, such as Turkey.
Expats will need to consider medical transportation and an international health insurance plan that incorporates medical evacuation in its coverage, as a helicopter ride can quickly become extremely expensive.
In the case of a medical emergency in Azerbaijan, dial 103.
International Health Insurance in Azerbaijan - Plans and Coverage
Among the best international health insurance providers catering to expats in Azerbaijan are Cigna, MSH International, and more. Below, we'll provide a concise overview of each provider, and their travel insurance plans if they offer any.
Cigna
Cigna Global provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Azerbaijan with 24/7 access to a customer care team. While they don’t offer typical travel insurance, they offer a Cigna Close Care flexi plan for short-term expat health insurance. This plan is perfect for trips under a year.
Cigna has Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans with different levels of coverage and limits. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:
- Hospitalization
- Inpatient and day-patient treatments
- Cancer treatments
- Physiotherapy
- Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation
MSH International
MSH International has almost 50 years of experience in providing health insurance for expats and their families. They offer single-trip and multi-trip travel insurance, as well as short-term and long-term international health insurance plans.
Their single-trip travel insurance covers emergency medical coverage up to $7,000,000, with their multi-trip plan covering up to $10,000,000. Their international health insurance plans differ in coverage and limits, but some basic features across their plans are:
- Inpatient treatment
- Hospitalization
- Cancer treatment
- Emergency evacuation
Bupa Global
Bupa Global offers expats in Azerbaijan tailor-made plans and guaranteed lifetime renewal. They stopped selling travel insurance in 2021, but still provide excellent international health insurance solutions to expats looking to stay in Azerbaijan longer-term.
Some of the shared features of Bupa’s plans include:
- Inpatient coverage
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- 24/7 access to medical advice through the Bupa Global service center
- Direct access to specialists without referral
NOW Health
NOW Health International offers expats abroad in Azerbaijan comprehensive health insurance solutions. They offer two categories of global plans: SimpleCare and WorldCare. SimpleCare plans are intended as budget-friendly, with coverage for medical emergencies and evacuation.
WorldCare provides a more comprehensive solution to expat healthcare. WorldCare plans come in different tiers with different coverage, but the shared benefits across the plans are:
- In-patient and day-patient care
- Organ transplant
- Evacuation and repatriation
- Cancer treatment
- Rehabilitation
Aetna
Aetna offers expats in Azerbaijan flexible and customizable benefits plans with additional options for medical, vision, dental, and pharmacy coverage. They cater to expats looking for long-term healthcare solutions through their Pioneer plans.
These plans range in coverage and limits with five levels of coverage to choose from. The basic coverage for their plans includes:
- Inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment (up to 90 days)
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Rehabilitation up to 120 days
- Emergency dental and optical treatment
GeoBlue
Geoblue offers an Xplorer health insurance plan that comes in Essential or Premier. These plans were created for expats traveling from the United States for business, leisure, or study trips. Expats can choose plans that include the United States in their coverage or not.
They also offer travel insurance policies. There’s Voyager, their single-trip policy, and Trekker, their multi-trip policy. Both plans have different coverage and limit options.
The shared features across their long-term Xplorer plans are:
- Diagnostic lab work and X-rays
- Surgery
- Inpatient medical emergencies
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Yearly physicals
Additional Benefits and Coverage
Many insurance providers allow expats in Azerbaijan to enhance their benefits by opting for additional coverage options. These may include services such as dental, optical, maternity, and more.
- Dental: Additional benefits can cover dental check-ups, cleanings, and major dental procedures.
- Maternity and family coverage: Expats planning to start or expand their families can tailor international health insurance plans to include coverage for prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, and additional benefits for newborns.
- Preventive care: Certain plans offer regular health checkups, screenings, vaccinations, and wellness programs, aiding expats in maintaining their well-being during their adventures abroad.
Pre-existing Conditions
Expats in Azerbaijan with pre-existing conditions may have more limited choices when purchasing an international insurance policy, but viable solutions exist. Options include selecting a plan with a pre-existing condition exclusion, a moratorium, or coverage with loading.
- Exclusion: Choosing a plan with an exclusion means that the insurer won't reimburse the policyholder for medical bills related to the pre-existing condition.
- Moratorium: In this scenario, the insurance company provides health coverage but excludes pre-existing conditions. Instead, there is a waiting period, typically around 24 months, during which the company assesses the pre-existing condition before deciding on coverage.
- Coverage with loading: Some insurance companies may offer coverage for pre-existing conditions but at higher premiums. It's important to note that not all pre-existing conditions qualify for this type of coverage, and not all insurance providers offer this option.
Retirees Seeking Health Insurance in Azerbaijan
Retirees settling in Azerbaijan should choose an international health insurance plan that provides extensive and adaptable coverage tailored to their specific needs. This may encompass benefits like cancer screenings, support for chronic conditions, and preventive health services.
Contact Pacific Prime to explore our range of international insurance plans designed for retirees in Azerbaijan. We are committed to assisting expats in finding a plan that offers outstanding coverage tailored to their needs, along with access to the finest private healthcare facilities.
Traveling Safely Within Azerbaijan
Expats and foreigners traveling to Azerbaijan should be aware of the dangers of nearing the Armenian border. In 2020, Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding territories were taken under control by Azerbaijan from Armenia, and a ceasefire was put in place.
Yet even with the ceasefire, there are still regular exchanges of gunfire across the line of contact. In addition, some of these disputed areas are heavily land-mined. Do not travel to any of these occupied areas near Nagorno-Karabakh, and avoid the Armenian border as well.
To the north of Azerbaijan, the border with Russia should not be used to enter or leave the country, because it is closed to foreign nationals
Conclusion
International health insurance is a smart investment for expats as it gives them access to quality care during their time in Azerbaijan. Without health insurance coverage, expats can find themselves paying completely out of pocket for expensive medical services and procedures.
Allow our insurance specialists at Pacific Prime to assist you in selecting the perfect international health insurance policy for your stay in Azerbaijan. Our independence from any single insurance provider ensures that we can provide impartial and unbiased advice to our clients.
Pacific Prime offers a wide selection of policies tailored to suit your specific requirements, whether you're seeking international health insurance coverage for yourself or your entire family. Reach out to our advisors today or begin comparing plans effortlessly using our free tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azerbaijan safe for US-citizen expats?
Azerbaijan is currently safe for US-citizen expats everywhere except the Armenian border and near Nagorno-Karabakh. The US government has urged its citizens not to travel near those areas as they will not be able to retrieve them if something happens.
Is Azerbaijan healthcare high quality?
Healthcare in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, is relatively high-quality in the private sector. The public health sector is still adequate, but the standards of care quickly deteriorate the farther you head outside the city. Rural Azerbaijan often does not have the necessary medical resources.
