Turkmenistan Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance in Turkmenistan for Expats

Expatriates living and working in Turkmenistan may be able to qualify for the country’s public insurance plan, but even if you do, it will not be sufficient. Expats must purchase a private health insurance plan to cover emergency medical evacuation and obtain worldwide coverage in every country.

Are you an expat living in or moving to Turkmenistan? Do you need help learning what their healthcare system is like and how to insure your medical expenses?

Pacific Prime is here to help you secure the right health insurance plan. This page will explain Turkmenistan's healthcare system and what health insurance options are available to expats.

Pacific Prime can help you find the ideal plan for your needs, and within your budget. Click below to get a free quote or continue reading to find out more about health insurance in Turkmenistan.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Turkmenistan

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Turkmenistan’s Healthcare System: Explained for Expats

While there are trained medical professionals in Turkmenistan, medical facilities and supplies are rather limited. The quality of healthcare generally does not meet international standards. Turkmenistan has both a public and private healthcare system, though the latter is small.

Long wait times for healthcare are common, and traditional forms of medicine are often practiced. Anyone who is going to live or travel to Turkmenistan should consider emergency evacuation coverage seeing as if you develop a serious concern, you will need to be transferred outside of the country.

Medical evacuation coverage is listed as a high priority for all travelers by the U.S. government.

Quality of care is so low that many local citizens travel to neighboring countries to receive medical services.

Public Hospitals and Healthcare in Turkmenistan

The quality of medical care in Turkmenistan is drastically below Western standards. The shortages of basic medical supplies often include disposable needles, anesthetics, and antibiotics. Many locally available medications are ineffective.

Most clinics and hospitals in Turkmenistan require a cash payment for care in the local currency at the time care is given.

Elderly travelers and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions may be at a higher risk of receiving inadequate care in the public sector of Turkmenistan. If you can, bring all medical supplies and medications you will need to treat your condition.

Ambulatory Services

To call for an ambulance in Turkmenistan, dial 03. Wait times for an ambulance to arrive is 30-60 minutes, and dispatch operators and EMTs typically only speak Russian or Turkmen, not English. An ambulance is most often lacking basic emergency medical supplies, such as medications and oxygen.

Instead, an ambulance’s main role will be recommending triage procedures and transportation to the nearest appropriate specialty hospital.

Private Hospitals and Healthcare in Turkmenistan

There is a very small private healthcare sector in Turkmenistan with private hospitals, though the state largely controls healthcare in the country so this sector is quite limited. The private sector does not fare much better than the public one.

They also struggle with limited medical supplies and poor professional training.

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Turkmenistan

Expats may be able to use Turkmenistan’s public health insurance scheme, but due to the widespread corruption and bribery rampant in the public healthcare sector, expats may prefer a private health insurance plan that can give them coverage in a private hospital or another country.

Patients are required by hospitals to pay for their treatment upfront in cash or the local currency. Credit cards and foreign health insurance are not typically accepted by Turkmen (though insured individuals can seek reimbursement from their insurance company later on).

It is common for foreigners to have to pay significantly more for healthcare than locals, so having an insurance plan to help mitigate these expenses is essential.

Public Health Insurance

Turkmenistan has a public health insurance option that covers part of the cost of healthcare. There is reported widespread corruption within this system, however. Not only are patients required to pay the hospital upfront for care, but the nurses and doctors demand bribes before offering treatment.

The government funds the healthcare system in Turkmenistan, though their support of healthcare has been significantly lacking, so funding is low. This contributes to the fact that doctors and nurses feel they have to compensate for their small paychecks.

Overall, the healthcare system in Turkmenistan has serious weaknesses.

Private Health Insurance

Having a private health insurance plan is non-negotiable for expats living or visiting Turkmenistan. Because a public health insurance plan won’t cover very much of the medical expenses demanded, expats will need a private plan with comprehensive coverage benefits.

Perhaps most importantly, a private insurance plan will cover medical evacuation expenses so you can be transported out of the country to receive proper, supplied, and professional treatment in another country in the event of a serious injury or illness.

Western expats will not be impressed with the quality of care in Turkmenistan, so having access to treatment in other countries through an international health insurance plan with worldwide coverage is an absolute must.

With this type of plan, expats can always travel outside of the country by choice (without a medical evacuation) to receive treatment elsewhere.

The Best Private Insurance Plans in Turkmenistan for Expats

Among the very best private health insurance providers for expats in Turkmenistan are the international plans offered by Cigna, AXA, Allianz Care, and VUMI. We will introduce you to each insurer below.

To read the full list of top providers, read our blog post The Top 10 International Health Insurance Providers.

Cigna Global

Cigna Global offers international health insurance to expats living in more than 200 markets and territories around the world. Cigna has 1.5 million health professionals and 24/7 customer support workers who speak more than 50 languages. Individuals, families, and businesses can get Cigna coverage.

Here are some more Cigna highlights:

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and daypatient treatments
• Cancer treatments
• Physiotherapy
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

Plan Details Get a Quote

AXA

AXA Global, also known as AXA Group or simply AXA, has more than 55 years of experience. They serve more than 95 million expats, digital nomads, businesses, and others in over 50 countries. Standard in AXA plans are their second medical opinion service and evacuation and repatriation coverage.

Here are some more AXA highlights:

• Hospital charges and surgery
• Virtual doctor service
• Mind health service
• Emergency coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Wide range of cancer treatment
• Ambulance transport
• CT, PET and MRI scans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Allianz Care

Allianz Care is a world-leading health insurance provider for expats living globally. As the international health brand of the larger Allianz Partners, Allianz Care offers health, life, critical illness, and disability insurance around the globe in 75 countries and over 58 languages.

Here are some more Allianz highlights:

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

Plan Details Get a Quote

VUMI

VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI) sells international health, life, and travel insurance policies for individuals and corporations. VUMI is well-known for its high-quality expat maternity insurance, which is included in three of its Global Flex plans. VUMI has 35 years in the industry.

Here are some more VUMI highlights:

• Over 35 Years of Experience
• Flexible Plans
• Maximum Annual Benefit Limit up to USD $4,500,000
• Exclusive Proprietary Medical Network

Plan Details Get a Quote

Factors to Consider When Choosing Insurance in Turkmenistan

Visitors and foreigners in Turkmenistan who are choosing which insurance plan is right for them should consider the poor quality of healthcare in the country and how likely it is that they will seek medical care in another country so they can make sure to have worldwide coverage if they need it.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

1. Make sure you select an insurance plan that covers emergency medical evacuation.
2. Make sure you select a plan with either worldwide coverage or regional coverage in surrounding countries so that you can seek medical care outside Turkmenistan and be covered.
3. If you require regular prescriptions, Turkmenistan won’t likely readily supply them. Be sure to maintain coverage in your country of origin or surrounding countries so you can fill prescriptions elsewhere.
4. Determine what coverage level your needs will require, and pick your provider’s plan package that meets all your needs.
5. When making your budget and determining which premiums, copays, deductibles, etc. you can afford to pay, be sure to factor in the reality that if you choose to receive medical care in the public healthcare sector, you will likely have to pay bribes to receive care.

Health and Travel Advice for Foreigners in Turkmenistan

Foreigners visiting Turkmenistan should have an active short-term or long-term health insurance plan in case they get sick or have a medical emergency. It is strongly advised to have emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage since the country has limited healthcare services.

1. If a medical emergency occurs, it’s best to get in touch with your health insurance provider right away. Hospitals in Turkmenistan usually want you to pay upfront in cash, even if you have travel health insurance.
2. Since healthcare services are limited, you can expect to be medically evacuated to Western Europe for serious health emergencies. As such, you’ll want to get a health plan that includes emergency medical evacuation since these expenses can cost as much as USD $250,000.
3. You can purchase prescription medicines in pharmacies or hospitals. While pharmacists are trained, note that the standard of training might be different from what you are used to back home. It may be best to pack from home all the medications you’ll need in Turkmenistan.
4. Road conditions vary throughout the country. The road conditions are better in the city but can be quite poor in rural areas. Always wear a seatbelt when you’re traveling by car or a helmet when traveling by motorcycle.
5. The CDC recommends that before traveling to Turkmenistan, travelers should receive the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A and B, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid, COVID-19, and other routine vaccinations.
6. Other infectious diseases expats and visitors in Turkmenistan should be familiar with and know how to prevent include Tuberculosis, Hantavirus, Leptospirosis, and some tick and fly bite infections.

Compare Quotes and Plans in Turkmenistan Now!

If you plan to travel to Turkmenistan, Pacific Prime can offer a wide range of policies to meet your individual needs. We offer a variety of healthcare plans and travel insurance policies, including emergency evacuation which is highly recommended for those visiting Turkmenistan.

Securing an international health plan from a trusted insurance provider can be very helpful if you face any medical emergency in Turkmenistan. This way you can contact the insurer's assistance line, and their representatives can help you arrange for medical evacuation.

Contact our professional advisors today for a free quote and enjoy the security that our extensive health insurance plans can provide.

Recommended Reads:

• The Best International Insurance Companies
• International Family Health Insurance Plans
• Maternity Insurance: Pregnancy while Living Abroad
• International Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions