Cyprus-Forum.com

[Beach Bum]

Back in November tbirchall posted an enquiry about medical services on the island as he is hoping to retire next year.

The answer he received, although helpful, was not quite specific and detailed enough for my needs.

I am in a similar situation - I shall to be heading for Cyprus next Spring with wife and dog for, we hope, a long and happy retirement.

But I am concerned that I cannot find any definitive source that can give me chapter and verse regarding what we can expect from the medical services in Cyprus.

I am led to believe they are very efficient and cost effective, but I would like to know what I can expect to pay for specific medical requirements for both my wife and I.

I also understand that it is necessary for us to have medical insurance for at least our first year on the island. Do I need to have this before I arrive on the island and, if so, how specific does it need to be?

Hopefully, there is someone in the forum that can either help or point me in the right direction.

The forum has already been very helpful regarding cars and animals - so thank you for that.
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[devil]

Medical services are generally considerably cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. Most things are available, but may be limited in quality. Cancer treatment is good, for example, but it may be better elsewhere for major cardiac surgery although bypass work may be OK. It is significant that major figures in the public eye often go elsewhere for important surgery.

Pharmaceuticals are not cheap, but they may come down in April 2005.

I believe that medical insurance has now become mandatory for aliens. According to a friend who recently applied for renewal of their permit, they ask for an attestation on the pretence that it is an EU regulation (??????????????)

[sk]

as a cypriot living abroad i use the E11_(i dont remember the last number) EU paper.it offers free medical treatment in most eu countries,but i dont know if it is valid only for students. a lot of people in cyprus go to private doctors, this can cost u around 15-20 pounds per visit.all of them are trained abroad (greece,uk,usa,germany etc)since there is no medical university in cyprus.
as a medical student studying abroad i can say that when it comes to medical knowledge level in cyprus we are doing very well no matter what some people say....

[devil]

Some typical costs:

Visit to GP: from £7
Home visit (GP): from £12
CAT scan of head: £100
Ultrasound scan of aorta from inside stomach, including anaesthesia, £90
Visit to specialist: from £20
Full blood analysis: £30
PSA test: £18
Inguinal hernia operation with 2½ days in private clinic (2 surgeons, anaesthetist and cardiologist with 2 theatre nurses for the operation: £1,050)
Complex "keyhole" appendectomy with severe blood and urinary tract difficulties, including urologist treatment and 10 days in private clinic: £2,200)
Cardiological check-up including ECG, ultrasound Doppler test: £45

[sizzler]

Just information in regard to health costs in Cyprus-very high! Was there two years ago plus I am an ex patriot living now in Canada.It cost $150 canadian dollars just to get a doctorto diagnose an ear infection-that was after we spent 5 hours in emergency being treated like hell and sent off with just an immediate dose of antibiotic for the night.
Just for knee surgery a friend paid 3000 cypriot pounds.
When you consider the cost of living versus basic wages etc whether you are working or not its pretty steep.
Plus the free government hospital service is barbaric.Not meaning to offend anyone but truly thought twice about moving back there with two little kids.Good luck to all

[Svetlana]

Hi Beach Bum

If you are in receipt of a UK State OAP Pension, you will be entitled to the same free health care as a Cypriot; ie use of the General Hospital and GPs. This will mean enjoying the same free queing and jostling as Cypriots LOL! It is means tested; if your family income is between £16-£23k it is half price, above £23k you have to pay in full.

State Hospitals are a little different here, in as much as they assume the family will be providing part of your care; you will probably be aware of the strong 'family' culture of Cypriots here (now sadly missing in the make up of most other Nations).

Immigration are (probably illegally) insisting that you have private medical insurance before they will issue you with an Alien Card - unless you are coming here to work in which caes you will be covered by Social Insurance. On a good day you MIGHT get by on the basis that you are entitled to free health care, if that is the case.

Private healthcare is excellent and about half the cost of the UK (one zillionth of the cost in the US!), nearly all doctors speak English, as do most nurses.

Lana

[cannedmoose]

Lana, do you know of the rough price of private healthcare schemes in Cyprus, like, for example, a Cypriot version of BUPA? I'd be interested to find out if you have any info?

[Svetlana]

Hi C-M

It is of course age and benefit/claim limit related, but for a fit young man like you, say £250pa - it excludes pre-conditions like your..er habit, of course.

Lana

[cannedmoose]

Hi C-M

It is of course age and benefit/claim limit related, but for a fit young man like you, say £250pa - it excludes pre-conditions like your..er habit, of course.

Lana

Yeah, sugar will take it out of you... I was actually asking in terms of my folks, my dad's late 50s, history of high blood pressure but controlled now; and my mum is mid-50s, no bad history. If you've got any rough idea I'd be grateful. And which is the best scheme to go with?

[Sarah McD]

Have to say that I've never had a good experience with any doctor in Cyprus.

They are a little behind the times from what I have seen, and I hate to admit this, but they don't seem too interested in helping tourists. This goes for doctors in private practices and at the general hospital.

I have noticed this, as did my father, my neighbour and her pregnant daughter. Also, working in a bar for a few months here gave the the opportunity to get into conversations with many people and not one of them had a good word to say about the quality of service you get from medical people here on the island.

Bad news really. Dentists here are worse, they really are hopeless and most of their surgeries are a joke for 2005 standards.

Sorry guys, just being honest.