Health and Medical Information for Austria
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The Republic of Austria sits on the southern border of Germany, and is largely covered by the European mountain range, the Alps. A land locked country, Austria had a population of around 8,214,000 people in 2010 with a land mass of approximately 83,871 kmû. With 64% of the country covered with Alpine mountain range, the majority of Austria’s economic activity is in the eastern regions, largely due to the capital city’s location. The nation’s capital, Vienna, is the country’s economic, cultural, and political centre and has been ranked 1st globally as a culture of innovation in 2007 and 2008. It offers a wide variety of things for an expatriate to experience, such as the stunning scenery of the Alpine mountains, world renowned museums and galleries, and some of the world’s premier skiing regions.
Austria provides health care
through two complementary systems, the statutory social security system and private health insurances. Any gainfully employed person must become insured through one of these two systems. The statutory social security system stipulates a compulsory insurance coverage for almost all types of employment, independent of the level of salary. The main goals for the system are affordability, universality and solidarity, which also will guarantee inhabitants equitable access to quality health care. Patients are offered the choice of their physician and have free access to most forms of medical care such as specialized in and out patient care, emergency care, prescription medicines and ambulance services, but any health care used outside of the benefits will need to be paid out-of-pocket. Payment for this plan is done through contributions from both the employee and the employers, but in the case of someone who is self-employed, all contributions must be paid in full by themselves. The amount of the contribution is based on a percentage of the person’s income, which for health insurance is around 7.65% for each party. 99% of the Austrian population is protected under this comprehensive health insurance coverage.
As of 2010 Austria had 269 hospitals; of these 132 are non-profit and public hospitals. There is a system of privately owned and state-maintained hospitals, whose quality of room care provided differs according to the patients’ health insurance coverage. A person with the public health care plan will probably get a shared room with 2 to 3 other patients. This public health care plan covers for basic medical diagnostic and treatment procedures. A privately insured patient would usually get a private or double room. The quality of care provided by hospitals, both public and private, is high, although without proper coverage the cost of care can be quite expensive but does vary from region to region. Expatriates should be aware that hospitals and physicians generally do not accept credit cards as a means of payment. Discuss with your international health insurance provider about payment methods with particular hospitals in Austria to ensure you will be able to receive immediate care when in need.
With Austria being a member of the EU since 1995, people who are covered under a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland’s social security scheme can receive care from Austria’s public health care system, as long as they are holders of an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). With an EHIC the Austrian government will provide emergency care and basic health care treatment on the same terms as an Austrian national would receive. It will not cover for any on-going medical treatment, medical repatriation or care of a non-urgent nature, which is why it is recommended to obtain an international health insurance plan.
Natural disasters and weather issues are something to watch out for as an expatriate travelling or living in Austria. If you intend to ski there are some serious concerns over avalanches during the winter season. Even summer months holds some dangers with areas still covered in snow. Weather and avalanche conditions should be monitored when travelling in the mountainous terrain of Austria. It is recommended to discuss with your international health insurance provider the safety precautions in mountainous terrain and the possibility of rescue or evacuation from these areas. Storms have been known to do damage homes, and businesses, restricting your ability to travel to, from and within the country. An expatriate should keep up to date with current and forecasted weather. Some storms have been known to cause floods which seem to affect the greatest number of people in Austria, doing serious economic damage. The greatest of these floods, in 2002, caused 2,400,000 dollars worth of damages, affected over 60,000 thousand Austrians and killed 9. Travellers insurance should be enquired about being able to have evacuation assistance for the policy holder.
If European visitors or any of their dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to Austria, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Full travel insurance is advised for all travellers.
Ticks often live in heavily forested areas during the summer months in some of the more easterly parts of Austria and can create discomfort and, in very rare cases, serious infection to people who are bitten. Tick-borne encephalitis is endemic and travellers likely to find themselves in wooded areas from spring to autumn should take a course of injections. Rabies is present in Austria, although there have been no incidents reported in recent years. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten seek medical advice without delay.
