Health insurance

Travel policy versus health policy

A travel policy is for unexpected events - an injury, an acute illness. A routine visit, a test or treatment for a chronic condition is not included.

A health policy is for everyday life: a family doctor, tests, specialists, medicines. That is exactly what a resident needs.

Our role

We are not an insurance company. We help you compare policies from licensed insurers, understand the terms and use the policy when you need it.

The insurer sets the price and terms. We make sure that before you sign you know exactly what you are buying.

The state programme

Georgia has a state healthcare programme, but it is designed mainly for citizens. Whether a foreigner can use it depends on their status.

So foreigners usually choose private insurance. We check the state programme's terms for your status separately.

Both can exist together - the state programme covering the basics, a private policy covering the rest.

Local or international

A local policy is usually cheaper and has direct billing with Georgian clinics. Abroad it either does not apply at all or has a small limit.

An international policy applies in several countries and lets you be treated at home. It is more expensive, and at a Georgian clinic you often pay first yourself.

Many choose a combination: local for everyday care and international for a serious event. We work that out together.

Outpatient and inpatient

Outpatient care - a doctor's visit, a test, a scan - is the part used most often. In a policy it is often reimbursed by percentage.

Inpatient care - hospital stays and surgery - is rare but the most expensive. Here the limit must be high.

Some policies cover only inpatient care - cheaper, but no use day to day. We always explain the difference.

The clinic network

Every insurer has its own network of clinics. A visit in the network is often free or with a small co-payment; outside it, reimbursement is reduced.

We check whether a network clinic is near your neighbourhood and whether it has doctors who speak English or Russian.

Networks change, and a clinic that was in it this year may not be next year. We check again at renewal.

The family doctor

In many Georgian policies the family doctor is the first step: you go to them first, and they refer you to a specialist.

A good family doctor who speaks your language is the greatest asset for a resident. We look for one in the network together.

If you do not like the family doctor, changing is usually possible. We check the rule for that in the policy.

Co-payments and percentages

A local policy often covers part of the cost - for example, a test partly, a hospital stay mostly. The rest is a co-payment.

The percentages differ for different services, and that table is the heart of the policy. We read it before you buy.

Sometimes an expensive policy with a low co-payment turns out cheaper for a family by the end of the year. We calculate that from your needs.

Medicines

Medicines are partly reimbursed in some policies and not at all in others. With a chronic condition this is the most important point.

Reimbursement usually requires a doctor's prescription and sometimes only works at a partner pharmacy.

If you take medicine regularly, we check whether it is sold in Georgia under the same name and whether the policy covers it.

Waiting periods

A new policy often has waiting periods: some services are reimbursed only after a few weeks or months.

The longest waits usually concern pregnancy, dentistry and planned surgery. That is why you should start the policy early.

If you switch from one insurer to another, the waiting sometimes starts again. We check before the change.

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are often excluded or covered after a waiting period. Hiding them on the questionnaire is later a reason for refusal.

Some insurers cover a pre-existing condition for an extra charge. That often pays off if you need regular treatment.

We help fill in the questionnaire and look for an insurer whose terms suit your condition.

Pregnancy and childbirth

If you are planning to grow your family, maternity cover matters most - and it often has a long waiting period.

A policy bought after a pregnancy has begun usually no longer covers childbirth. So planning happens in advance.

Tbilisi has good maternity hospitals. We help choose a clinic in the network and a doctor who speaks your language.

Children

For a child a paediatrician, the vaccination schedule and a night-time emergency service matter. Not every policy covers vaccinations.

Kindergartens and schools sometimes ask for a health certificate. It is done by the family doctor or paediatrician.

A child can usually be added to a family policy from birth, but the rules vary. We confirm this in advance.

Dentistry

In a local policy dentistry is often included only at a basic level - check-ups and simple treatment, with a limit.

Implants, orthodontics and cosmetic work are usually outside the insurance. Dentistry in Tbilisi is cheaper than in Europe, so many pay themselves.

If dentistry is your main concern, we look for a policy with extended cover or recommend a clinic with direct billing.

Check-ups and prevention

Some policies include an annual check-up - tests and several specialists. That is a good bonus for a resident.

If it is not included, a check-up is available in Georgia at a price. We describe that in the health section.

Preventive visits are often the least-used part. We remind you, so that you get the full value of the policy.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

After an injury or surgery, physiotherapy often lasts weeks. Many policies limit it by the number of sessions.

Chronic back and joint problems often fall into the "planned" category, and cover is small.

If you need regular physiotherapy, we compare that limit across several policies before you buy.

Glasses and the eye doctor

An ophthalmologist's visit is often part of outpatient cover; glasses and contact lenses rarely are, or only for a small amount.

Tbilisi has many opticians, and glasses are often ready the same day or within a few days.

A prescription you brought from home usually works here. It is still better to have your eyesight checked again.

Online consultations

Some insurers and clinics offer online consultations with a doctor - for a simple question without leaving home.

It is convenient for a child's fever at night or renewing a prescription. But it cannot replace an examination.

We check whether online consultations are included in the policy and in which languages they work.

Mental health

Psychologists and psychiatrists are covered only in a limited way, or not at all, in many local policies. International policies are often better here.

The first months after a move are stressful, and that is normal. A psychologist who works in your language is real help.

We know psychologists who work in English or Russian. That service is in the health section.

An employer's policy

If you work for a Georgian company, the employer often offers a corporate policy. Its terms are sometimes better than an individual one.

We check whether the family is included, what happens when you change job and whether the policy applies abroad.

If the corporate policy is not enough, we look for an additional individual one so that cover is not duplicated.

Freelancers and nomads

A freelancer or remote worker has no employer's policy - they choose insurance themselves.

If you live in several countries a year, an international nomad policy makes sense. If you are putting down roots in Georgia, a local one is better.

We compare both according to the rhythm of your life, not just by price.

Residence permits and insurance

Health insurance may be required for some types of residence permit. The requirements change from time to time.

So before a residence application we check whether a policy is needed and what conditions it must meet.

The residence process is described in the immigration section. Here we only cover the insurance side.

Older people

For an older person buying a policy gets harder - some insurers set an age limit or raise the price considerably.

So it is better to start early: renewal is usually simpler than buying a new policy at an older age.

For an older person, cover for chronic conditions and a clinic close to home matter most. We check both.

An emergency

In an emergency, 112 first. Georgian ambulances serve everyone, and insurance comes in after a hospital admission.

Inform the insurer as soon as possible - many policies require it within a certain time.

We help with translation with the doctor and the insurer, and keep the family informed if they are abroad.

Direct billing

At a network clinic you often just show the policy or your ID, and the clinic contacts the insurer. You pay only the co-payment.

Some services need the insurer's prior approval - a scan or surgery, for example. Without it reimbursement may be refused.

We help obtain approval if the clinic or insurer works only in Georgian.

Reimbursement outside the network

If you went to a clinic outside the network, you pay first yourself, then send the receipts and the report to the insurer.

The documents are in Georgian and often need a stamp. If something is missing, reimbursement is delayed.

We help prepare the claim and check the documents, so that it is settled in one exchange.

Travelling abroad

A local policy usually does not apply abroad, or only with a small limit. When visiting home you need a travel policy.

Some local insurers offer a travel add-on. That is often more convenient than a separate policy.

An international policy solves this problem, and that is its main advantage for someone who travels often.

Renewal and cancellation

An annual policy renews each year, and the insurer may change the terms or price. Before renewal we read the new terms.

When cancelling early, part of the money is sometimes returned, sometimes not. That is in the policy.

If you are leaving Georgia, we confirm the cancellation period and any refund in advance.

Language and documents

A Georgian policy is often only in Georgian, or with an English translation that has no legal force.

Before you sign we translate the key points: cover, percentages, limit, exclusions, waiting, network.

The hotline sometimes answers only in Georgian. Then we call or translate.

Comparing policies

We compare three or four policies in one table: price, limit, outpatient percentage, medicines, maternity, dentistry, network, waiting.

We fill the table with your real needs - for example, how many visits and tests you expect in a year.

That shows which policy is really cheaper for you, not just by its advertised price.

The first month

After the policy starts, get to know your family doctor before you fall ill. A first visit is easier when calm than with a fever.

Save the list of network clinics on your phone, with the hotline. Know the night emergency clinic in advance.

Translate your children's vaccination records and reports on chronic conditions - it makes things easier with a new doctor.

Common mistakes

Buying a cheap policy that covers only inpatient care and being surprised at the first test. Planning a pregnancy without allowing for the waiting period.

Going to a clinic outside the network and getting reduced reimbursement. Having a scan without prior approval and being refused.

Most of these mistakes are avoided with one conversation before you buy. That is what we are for.

What we need from you

Who needs insuring - you, your spouse, children - and their ages. How long you are staying in Georgia.

Important health details: a chronic condition, regular medicines, pregnancy plans. This is confidential.

Where you live and where you often travel. That decides the network and the territory.

Price

The insurer sets the policy price - by age, cover, limit and family composition.

Our help with comparison, before signing and when something happens is a separate service agreed in advance. We add nothing to the policy price.

If your employer's or existing policy is enough, we tell you directly.