my partner and i are covered by the s1 bulgarian health cover by agreement with the uk. we understand that we receive the same health cover as a bulgarian. we have doctors consulation at 2 lev rather than the 25 lev. we have medication at reduced cost. i had a stay in hospital at a cost of the bed at 2.80 lev per night as all bulgarians pay. my partner had specialist consultations at no cost. seems pretty good to us.

we have been talking to a neighbour of ours, their mum is 77 and very poorly, she is in need of surgery for a broken hip and is currently in varna hospital, her daughter has arrived from working in the uk and they are demanding 5,ooo levs for the surgery as well as the usual demand for blood supply, do all bulgarians pay for surgery, is this not covered under the bulgarian health care. there is no way most elderly would ever be in a position to pay for surgery. is there anyone bulgarian here that can enlighten us on the bulgarian health system as to what you actually get. many thanks.

When I read the first part I thought WOW how good is that.

Then came to the last part and I'm really hoping there has been a bit of wrong information given to you, as you say, elderly people suffer from a lot of injuries, probably more-so especially in winter months with slips and falls.

Hope the neighbour manages to get the treatment that is needed.

at what cost.

There doesn't seem to be any consistancy with this.. some of you may remember, my wife had a nasty fall last year and broke her leg in three places.Ambulance was called, leg was re-aligned and plastered and she was sent home. Four months in plaster, many visits to the hospital for x-rays and monitoring until she was able to walk again. Total cost?..............not one stotinki!!!!


Just have to add, since the plaster was removed, she also had seven or eight sessions with a physio person, who helped her regain normal movement and balance.

Never had a bill, never asked for any payment.

As I understand it if you have an "
Accident"
and you have an EHIC card you pay very little or nothing but if you have an illness like Diabetes then you pay for everything.

we cannot use the ehic card here in bulgaria as we are resident. the ehic card can be used in the uk or spain or any eu country while on holiday. i am trying to find out what a bulgarian gets from their nhs because what they get is what i will get. it is the question of surgery that has astounded me. that an elderly bulgarian requires surgery for a broken hip and the charge will be 5,000 levs. no way can she pay, so do they not operate and leave her in that state.

I have asked our Bugarian families and it seems that they pay for their bed for three nights only and they pay for their own food as a memeber of the family or a friend will bring food etc in for them
Be careful i think some one is trying to get money from you under false pretences
Sorry to have to tell you that.
We have Bulgarian friends here that have had operations and never paid every thing from broken bones to heart surgery.
I know some people that are expats too and have had cosmetic surgery and the highest cost i have heard of for that was the equivalant to 550 pounds for a tummy tuck.
and few years ago an Australian women that had major heart surgery and paid 5000 bgn
There seems to be a problem for the elderly lady you know but it may be a hoax
We haven't been into hospital but we only pay a little for doctor or bloods test or medication or dentist

thats reassuring, we have had some experiences with the bulgarian health service, from consultations to scans,x rays, specialist consultations, these were quick, efficient ( basic ) and resolved in days. at no cost. had a weeks stay in hospital, numerous tests ect and the cost like you say, was the cost of the bed and family provide food and personal effects. :Great:not to the standard of the uk but no delays in treatment.

so i was alarmed at this daughter saying her mum had to pay 5,000 levs for a hip operation and im still no wiser as to why. thanks for the information, i feel a bit better about this now. (phew)