Information I hope you won’t need!

Looking out of my window today, it is a lovely sunny day. Can it be that summer is finally on its way?

And with the arrival of summer comes crunch time for the Greek economy. The decision to cede national sovereignty on economic and social policy in return for a 110 billion euro EU-IMF bailout was sealed with a parliamentary vote on May 6. The Pasok government was joined by opposition members in passing the package and Prime Minister Papandreou declared that his government will do everything possible to implement the agreed programme fully. Hopefully this will set the Greek economy on the path to recovery.

Are you going to Greece this summer? I am hoping to, and chatting to people who are planning to either visit or relocate to Greece I am frequently asked about the medical system there and how Greece compares to the NHS.

Comparisons, they say, are odious, but what I do recommend is that you look very carefully into the level of medical care if you are considering buying a property in Greece. Medical standards have improved considerably in recent years, but they may not be up to the standard we take for granted in the UK. Nursing care and post-hospital assistance are below what you may be used to, especially on the smaller islands and in rural areas, and people have told me that they have sometimes needed to trek all the way to Athens or Thessaloniki for expert hospital treatment.

Don’t fall hopelessly in love with a property BEFORE you have made sure that there are certain necessary medical requirements that the area can provide you with. If you have small children it’s also rather comforting to have medical help relatively close by, even if there just on holiday regularly. It is also very difficult to form a trusting relationship with your doctor if they don’t speak a word of English. Find out if there are expats living nearby and perhaps have a chat to them and find out what they think of the local medical facilities – or maybe your estate agent can help here?

Greece has a national health care system that provides free or low cost health care to residents and, as a EU member country resident, you will be treated on the same basis as a resident of Greece. Non-EU citizens should arrange private health insurance before they leave their home country; however, emergency care is provided free of charge in public hospitals to anyone, regardless of nationality.

You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK – you have to present this to get free treatment. If you choose to approach Greek practitioners/hospitals direct for private treatment, the EU Community arrangements will not apply and you will be responsible for the full cost of any treatment received.

The EHIC is available free of charge through most UK post offices or through the UK Department of Health via their website at: www.dh.gov.uk

You can contact them on 0800 555 7777.

In urgent situations, but not an emergency case, the patient may see a private specialist and will be reimbursed up to a maximum of 85% of the fee later by Idrima Kinonikon Asfalisseon (IKA). IKA is the government body that operating Greece’s National Health Care System. Waiting lists are long for non-urgent operations.

Essential dental treatment is largely free; eye treatment is also free but non-essential medicines and health-related accessories such as dentures, dental crowns and spectacles are substantially charged. Members are charged 25 per cent of the actual cost of prescriptions (pensioners pay ten per cent).

Phone 184 when the IKA facility is required, and make an appointment to see a doctor or a specialist at an IKA Centre.

If you cannot get to an IKA office before going to a hospital or first aid station, you should ask the authorities at the hospital or station for free treatment under the IKA scheme. The EHIC must be shown, so do keep this on you at all times.

In Greece you may have to make a patient contribution to the cost of your care, as do the Greeks themselves. You may be able to seek reimbursement for this cost when you are back in the UK if you are there as a visitor. It is important that you ensure that you are treated by a state healthcare provider as you will not be covered for private healthcare. You should be particularly careful if the healthcare arrangements have been made by a hotel or travel representative as they may refer you to a non-heath care doctor.

If you are going to be working permanently in Greece or are going there to retire you need to get hold of a medical booklet (or ‘iatrico vivliario’) from your local IKA office. This must be shown each time you visit a doctor or hospital. Pensioners who intend to take up residence in Greece and who are entitled to free medical treatment in the United Kingdom also enjoy this facility in Greece. They should produce their form E121, issued by their local Department of Health Office in the United Kingdom before moving to Greece, at their local IKA office.

Most foreign residents also subscribe to a complementary health insurance fund that pays the portion of medical bills not covered by social security.

If you live in a remote area of Greece that isn’t covered by a local IKA office, you’ll have to pay the cost of any medical treatment in advance and re-claim it from the nearest IKA office. However, the refund will be only a proportion of the cost (up to around 85 per cent) and you will be responsible for the balance. If you receive treatment under these circumstances, it’s necessary to obtain receipts and documentation in order to make a claim.

I hope this helps – and that you won’t need to use the information! See you soon – have a great week.

Carol
http://www.greecebuyingguide.com