Private health insurance

[WienA]

Hi guys

I just wanted to know if:
1. Is it mandatory to have health insurance in Austria
2. If I dont have an employer who provides it, do you know of any basic, value service providers that can give me the coverage I need to live in Austria

Danke.

[Tatt]

Hey,

A quick straw poll round our way suggests that legally you only must have insurance if you're employed or pregnant. There is no basic private service in Austria, the only basic service is the standard WGKK which everyone is a member of, and the private companies 'top up' this service (for example with your own room and private doctors).

So if you want health insurance you have a choice;
1. Buy into WGKK for about €370 a month (last time we checked)
2. Find an alternative service provider within the EU who promises to cover you in as an Austrian resident - I actually did this for my first month in Vienna as I was unemployed, I used a German company called Central Versicherung.

[WienA]

Hey cheers Tatt, I am on a s/t contract, hence the requirement
370 is a bit steep but I am looking for cheaper ones - do you know what the actual requirement is in terms of cover- For example, I found a hospital only cover for a lesser price
Is that sufficient? I can find no details on this anywhere

Merci

[WienA]

Tatt, actually I found this so I guess the hospital only might be out --

If you are working in Austria, mandatory public health insurance is automatically deducted from an individual’s salary and there are different fee and payment scales. In general, basic healthcare and dental treatment in public hospitals are covered; medications as well as visits to specialists are also included under the mandatory scheme. Hospitals and physicians generally do not accept credit cards. Private healthcare and insurance is also available as an option for protecting your health in the country.

[Tatt]

Hey cheers Tatt, I am on a s/t contract, hence the requirement...

I am confused; if you are working in Austria you are already fully covered for health insurance. Your employer pays this (and a % is deducted from your wage). When you joined the company they have to register you with the WGKK in Vienna. If this was your first job in Austria you should have received an e-card through the post and that is the only thing you need to show any hospital/doctor/dentist.

The only exception is self employed (Selbständige), or contractor, in which case you *have* to be buy the Selbständige Versicherung. This is more expensive, but the idea is you still earn more as a contractor with high day rate.

If you are working (as I understood) then you should start with your HR department if you do not have an e-card.
If you are not working then my original suggestions stand.

As a short term contractor you have no choice, you have to buy Selbständige Versicherung.
http://portal.wko.at/wk/startseite_th.w ... 0&sbid=145

[WienA]

Heya
Yeah I am on a contract so I have to buy the insurance
I cannot read the links but will ask a friend, are you saying I have to go through that company though?

Cheers, Tatt, appreciate all the help.

W.

[WienA]

I have asked around and I asked some friends at the UN who do not have private insurance and they seem to just buy expat global insurance. Which is way cheaper than the 400 or so ... not sure but this is the latest I have acquired.

[Tatt]

I have asked around and I asked some friends at the UN who do not have private insurance and they seem to just buy expat global insurance. Which is way cheaper than the 400 or so ... not sure but this is the latest I have acquired.

People who work for the United Nations are exempt from the standard health insurance laws in Austria - at least the diplomatic core - it's the same for the Red Cross or IAEA; as international organisations they don't have to contribute to the Austrian social system. Everyone else does.

So I don't think the expat global insurance applies - I'm sure the AMS can clarify this legally if you dare to ask them.