Health insurance in Denmark
Those moving or traveling to Denmark will undoubtedly have many questions regarding how the Danish healthcare system works, as well as whether private health insurance is necessary. This guide provides information about health insurance in Denmark for foreigners and locals, as well as about the country’s healthcare system. Read on to learn more, or click below to obtain a no-obligation, free quote.
Healthcare system in Denmark
The standard for healthcare in Denmark is very high. The entire system is tax-funded and readily available to the public. The national tax for healthcare is set at around eight percent of the total taxable income. Perhaps the most unique feature of the Danish system is that it is decentralized to the community level. As a result, central initiatives often face strong resistance, but at the same time, foster a consensus approach to such issues. Additionally, since taxes set aside for healthcare are first received by the national government and then handed down to local municipalities administration, the system is relatively unbiased compared to a country having centralized healthcare administration.
The entire healthcare system, on an operational level, can be divided into two sectors: primary health care and hospitals. The primary healthcare sector deals with most healthcare issues and is available to all citizens. This sector is further divided into two parts: one part consisting of general health treatments and the other part dealing with preventative care. All patients begin treatment at the primary healthcare level and should they need further, more specialized care, general practitioners refer them to treatment in the hospital sector. In Danish hospitals, nurses and doctors dispense the drugs, not pharmacies. It is estimated that 90% of Danish citizens are satisfied with the quality of care they receive.
For a foreign national to participate in Denmark’s public healthcare system, he or she must obtain a CPR card or a Danish social security number. If this is not possible, due to length of stay or other factors, foreign nationals are recommended to obtain health insurance through their employers (this is very typical) or privately. Most of the Danish population speaks English, so expats should have no problem finding an English-speaking doctor.
The private healthcare sector in Denmark
Due to the high quality of public healthcare facilities, there is a small presence of the private healthcare sector in Denmark. There are few private hospital providers, such as Danske Privathospitaler (DAPH), and they account for less than 1% of hospital beds.
Dental and vision doctor visits and treatments are not covered under the national health insurance scheme, hence obtaining health insurance from an employer or privately is recommended.
Can I use an EHIC card in Denmark?
Temporary visitors to Denmark from the EU/EEA/Switzerland can receive discounted, or free healthcare through their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), as per the agreement between their country and Denmark. There are certain healthcare costs that EHIC doesn’t cover, such as medical transport back to your home country, mountain rescue, or private treatment. Those without an EHIC and visitors from outside the EU will need to purchase private health insurance for Denmark.
Private health insurance for expats
We can provide comprehensive expatriate health insurance plans, as well as vision and dental plans, to foreign nationals in Denmark that will afford you with the highest levels of coverage available should you not be able to obtain public healthcare. Plans that we provide are globally portable and guaranteed renewable for life, giving you the assurance that no matter what happens you will always have the coverage that you need.
Our Denmark expat health insurance plans can be tailored to meet your exact requirements and in many cases, we are able to offer Denmark international health insurance policies with no deductibles or excesses. In addition to this, the policies we offer can include a number of additional benefits, such as coverage for out-patient treatment, dental and maternity protection, complementary medicines, specialist consultations, alternative therapies and emergency evacuation.
All of these give you the assurance that no matter what happens and where in the world, you will always have the protection that you need. Contact us today for a free quote and insurance consultation!
