Bosnia and Herzegovina Health Insurance for Expats

Health insurance is required for both travelers and expats going to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Expats are advised to have enough coverage for repatriation and medical evacuation expenses as public healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina may not be up to Western standards.

The country’s healthcare system is also highly complex and fractured. Continue reading below to learn how to navigate your way through the healthcare system and available health insurance options for you in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Bosnia

Bosnia and Herzegovina Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina is highly fractured and decentralized, meaning public insurance coverage, care capacities, and training standardization differ vastly across regions. Private healthcare is usually considered the more attractive option, especially for specialist care.

With as many as 14 health authorities overseeing the public healthcare system, expats are recommended to familiarize themselves with health services in Bosnia and Herzegovina beforehand. Continue below to learn more about the healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina and how you can secure your health services.

Public Healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The state healthcare system in Bosnia is highly fractured as there are 13 health insurance funds and 14 health authorities in charge of public healthcare. This means you can experience different levels of care and public health coverage across different regions.

The public healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided according to the country’s administrative entities, consisting of:

• Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Republik Srpska
• Brčko District

The public healthcare in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is further divided into 10 cantons, all with their own respective governments.

This fragmentation means the adoption of a common strategy and policy for healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina is incredibly challenging, including the harmonization of public health insurance coverage, health services, care capacities, and training standardizations.

Public healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina is also plagued by other issues including:

• Staff Shortage: War drove doctors and nurses in Bosnia and Herzegovina to seek better employment abroad, resulting in a perpetual staff shortage in the country’s health system. Training interruption during wartime also led to the country’s struggling with restaffing its medical workforce.
• Lack of Standardized Qualifications: Bosnia and Herzegovina has no standardized curricula and qualifications for medical assistants and nurses, meaning a lack of clarity in required competencies for staff in such positions. The country also lacks a licensing system for nurses.
• Limited Hospital Beds: Although Bosnia and Herzegovina has a large hospital network with 29 public hospitals and 6 specialized hospitals, it has limited bed availability. Number of beds per 100,000 population remains below the average of the European Union.
• Underfunding: Funding generally goes to high-cost medical purchases such as new cancer therapies or goes to tertiary care, leaving patients in secondary care services, such as cardiology care, with limited choice or on long waiting lists.

Public dissatisfaction with public healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina stood at 80% with residents reporting they were ‘quite dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’ with the system. Private health services are usually the choice for residents who can afford them.

How to Seek Care in the Public Healthcare System

Patients can seek different levels of care from different medical facilities available in the public healthcare system, including centralized polyclinics, health centers, community-based clinics, and hospitals.

For primary care, patients can visit centralized polyclinics or health centers, where they can find both general practitioners and specialists.

In a community setting, you may come across ‘ambulantas’ or smaller community-based clinics. These ambulantas are generally staffed by general practitioners and nurses. They serve as triage centers where patients are referred to health centers or hospitals according to their conditions.

For specialists and higher levels of care, patients are generally referred to larger health centers or hospitals.

It’s important to note that upfront payment for treatments is required for all hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is regardless of whether you have a health insurance plan. In case of a medical emergency, please contact your insurer immediately.

List of Public Hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo - Kosevo
Telephone: + 387 33 29 70 00
Website: http://www.kcus.ba/

State General Hospital, Sarajevo
Telephone: +387 33 285 10
Website: http://www.obs.ba/

Clinical Hospital Center (Banja Luka)
Telephone: +387 (0)51 308-111, 316-725
Website: http://www.kc-bl.com/

University Clinical Center Tuzla (Tuzla)
Telephone: 00387 35 303 300
Website: http://www.ukctuzla.ba/ukctuzla/

Private Healthcare System in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Private hospitals are scarce outside of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Still, they usually are medical services of choice as they tend to fare better than their public counterparts when it comes to quality of care and waiting time.

Private healthcare is also generally preferable for certain services such as pharmacies, dental services, and specialist practices.

This is why expats and travelers are generally recommended to have sufficient health coverage for private care as well as repatriation and medical evacuation costs. This way, you could get the best medical treatment without worrying about mounting costs or where you are.

List of Private Hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Al-Tawil Clinic
Telephone: +387 33 203 656
Website: http://www.klinikatawil.com/index.php/en/

Eurofarm Centar
Telephone: +387 33 773 032
Website: https://www.eurofarmcentar.ba/

Health Insurance Options in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has both public and private health insurance to offer for expats. In this section, we will discuss both options available for expats in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Public Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a comprehensive public health insurance system, but the coverage is not yet universal. The fragmented nature of the country’s public healthcare system means limited healthcare access for patients outside of their place of health insurance registration.

There are 13 health insurance funds in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 health authorities running public healthcare. Fundings generally come from mandatory health insurance contributions collected by each municipality or canton.

Several health services are covered under this public health insurance, including:

• Primary care
• Specialized outpatient care
• Inpatient services and medications

Some services require co-payments either in the forms of defined co-payment or percentage-based co-payment such as:

• Therapies
• Rehabilitation
• Outpatient prescription medication

However, as the system is highly fractured, the coverage will differ depending on where you live and where you have registered for your public insurance. Services covered by one authority may not be covered by the others, and each authority will set different levels of co-payments.

Certain health services can lead to relatively high out-of-pocket payments such as outpatient medicines and diagnostic tests. As such, many expats are advised to take out private health insurance plans for the ease of accessing healthcare across the region.

Private Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Health insurance is mandatory for expats and travelers heading to Bosnia and Herzegovina, whether you are looking to visit the country briefly or planning for an extended relocation. You will also need proof of local health insurance when applying for a residence permit.

You may also want to secure an appropriate international private health insurance plan beforehand, considering the fragmented state of the public healthcare system and the limited access you might experience with public health insurance.

Private health insurance plans not only come with coverage for private health services but also benefits such as repatriation and medical evacuation coverage. This means despite the challenges of the public health system, you can be referred to receive care elsewhere without added worry about the cost.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Residents of the European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland should note that EHIC does not cover Bosnia and Herzegovina. Travelers are advised to secure appropriate health insurance for their medical expenses beforehand.

Best International Health Insurance Plans for Expats in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Here are some insurers Pacific Prime works with to ensure your access to quality health services in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Allianz

Allianz offers comprehensive insurance plans for all expats’ needs. Riders are available to be purchased and attached to any basic policy that Allianz approves. These riders can offer coverage for accidents and other risks.

Some of the basic coverage for their plans includes:

April International

April International has over 30 years of experience in the international health insurance market and provides both comprehensive and flexible plans to expats. They provide varying levels of coverage, fully customizable policies, and a wide direct billing network.

Some of the shared coverage across their plans are:

Cigna Global

Cigna Global provides flexible insurance plans to expats. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any private hospitals and private clinics. Their plans are both customizable and comprehensive.

Cigna has a silver, gold, and platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

Health and Safety Advice for Expats in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Expats and travelers are generally recommended to take extra precautions for certain health and safety risks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ranging from pickpockets in Sarajevo to the possibility of terrorism and landmines. Continue reading to learn more.

Recommended Vaccinations for Bosnia and Herzegovina

CDC recommends travelers stay up-to-date with their routine vaccines before going on a trip. These include vaccines for:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Shingles

Vaccines for COVID-19, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, and Tick-borne Encephalitis are also recommended.

Pickpockets and Theft

Expats and travelers should take good care of their belongings when traveling on public transport or in popular pedestrian areas of Sarajevo or other cities. Car thefts in popular tourist areas are also possible. Make sure your vehicle is locked and avoid obvious displays of wealth.

Global Measle Outbreak

Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the countries reported for increased numbers of cases of measles. Travelers should make sure they are fully vaccinated for measles before going on their trip.

Terrorism

Possible threats of terrorism could not be ruled out in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Travelers and expats should remain vigilant when traveling to tourist attractions and crowded areas such as transportation hubs, shopping malls, as well as government facilities.

Old Landmines

There are still old landmines and unexploded weapons remaining from the war from 1992-1995. Most populated areas and major attractions are likely to be safe, but travelers should take extra caution when traveling to rural areas. Avoid going off roads or paved areas without experienced guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need health insurance to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Travelers visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina are required to have a health insurance plan. Expats will need proof of health insurance coverage when applying for a residence permit.

Is healthcare free in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Public health insurance provides several free and subsidized health services in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including primary care, specialized outpatient care, and inpatient services. However, some services might require co-payment such as therapies, rehabilitation, and outpatient medicines.

Is Bosnia and Herzegovina safe for traveling?

Travelers are generally recommended to take high-level precautions as they travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina. You should be mindful of possible thefts and terrorism threats in major tourist areas. Travelers should also avoid going off-road or paved tracks due to possible threats of landmines.

Our experts can provide you with a personalized quote based on your needs and requirements.

Conclusion

Health insurance is essential for anyone visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, whether for your visa or residence permit application. Having private healthcare, medical evacuation, and repatriation coverage can give you peace of mind when navigating the country’s complex healthcare system.

Ready to secure health insurance for your trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina? Contact us for a free quote! Our experts leverage partnerships with major insurers and offer a wide range of top plans to suit your needs. Get in touch today!