SPECIAL CLASS COVER
This section provides information about additional insurance cover for
- persons who already have public insurance in Austria, but wish to have additional insurance cover OR
- persons who do not have public insurance in Austria, but wish to have special class cover rather than basic healthcare.
Private health insurance is highly recommended for expatriates in Austria. It offers special class treatment in public and private hospitals, free choice of physicians for out-patient treatment and many more advantages. The benefits depend on the plan selected. Private health insurance contracts are designed as a “life-long contractual relationship”, so that the insurer is prevented from imposing any limitations and does not have a right to terminate a relationship.
In-Patient treatment (insurance of hospital costs, “special class”)
Insurance policies taken out for private health insurance contain a provision for hospital costs. Under this type of insurance coverage, the costs for staying at the special ward of the hospital in question or in a private hospital, are paid directly to the hospital.
The special ward in Austria includes access to private hospitals, free choice of physician (i.e. for surgery),maximum of 1 or 2 beds per room with TV, internet etc.,reduced waiting times for surgeries, and more equipment, private shower and private bathroom.
Out-patient treatment
This type of insurance may be taken out in connection with an insurance of hospital costs but also separately. The insurer provides access to physicians that have no contractual relationship with the respective public health insurer. In general a great number of top physicians do not have contractual relationship to the public health system. Their surgeries and prescription will not be paid unless you have a private health insurance.
Privately insured persons may take advantage of best possible medical treatment with their free choice of physicians without waiting times (private patients make appointments which are respected),coverage of pharmaceutical products, coverage of glasses, lenses.
Additional benefits
Additional benefits might include things like dental care, a travel insurance, free memberships to gyms or yearly check-ups.
COMPARISON
| PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE | PUBLIC HEALTHCARE | |
|---|---|---|
| In-patient treatment (in hospital) | Private treatment | General treatment |
| Choice of hospital | Private or public | Public hospitals only |
| Rooms | Private room (one bed) or semi-private room (two beds) | Up to 8 beds per room or bed on the aisle |
| Physicians | Chief physician or physician of your choice | whoever is on duty |
| Waiting times for surgeries | No waiting times | Days, weeks or months if illness is not life-threatening |
| In-room equipment | TV, internet access, terrace, private bathroom, private shower | Shared TV |
| Visiting hours | Unlimited visiting hours | Visiting hours usually only after lunch |
| Meals | Free choice of meals | No choice of meals |
| Out-patient medical treatment | Private treatment | General treatment |
| Physicians | Physician of your choice will be paid by the private health insurer | Physicians with contractual relationships only |
| Medical treatment | Best available: magnetic resonance tomography, computed tomography etc.; no waiting times | Treatment subscribed by social insurance system (cheapest available) |
| Waiting times | None | Appointments are not possible and waiting times can be long |
| Additional benefits | Coverage of pharmaceutical products, glasses, lenses, plaster, crutches… | Deductibles need to be paid by patient |
| Dental care | dental plans will include all kinds of treatment (implants, braces, oral hygiene...) | Only pain-relieving treatment |
| Travel insurance | Coverage 100% worldwide for trips abroad | No coverage outside EU. Coverage within EU not sufficient |
| Other possible benefits | Free memberships to gyms, yearly medical check-ups... | - |
INTERESTED?
Complementary health insurance plans by Insurance-Austria will always be tailored to fit your needs. Please click here for more details about our most popular insurance plans for additional health cover in Austria.
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