A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) holder can receive medical care
provided by general practitioners (GPs) or specialists, hospital treatment and
subsidised medicines prescribed for out-patient care.
An EHIC holder can apply for medical care directly to a GP who has an
agreement with the Territorial Health Insurance Fund – THIF (Teritorinė ligonių
kasa). In addition to the EHIC proof of identity must also be provided. The
addresses of THIFs are listed below. The addresses of affiliated doctors can be
obtained from the THIF.
The GP visits are free of charge. If the GP feels it is necessary, then he
will refer a patient to a specialist and this consultation will then be
provided by the specialist free of charge. The costs of treatment provided by a
private doctor who does not have an agreement with the TPF are not covered by
the EHIC.
Dental treatment services themselves are free of charge for patients under age 18 in primary care institutions which have signed agreements with the THIF. The costs of the
material substances used for the dental treatment are not covered by the EHIC.
However, as most dentists work privately you will have to pay for the costs of
treatment yourself.
EHIC holders are eligible to be reimbursed for the costs of subsidised
medicines prescribed for out-patient treatment purposes. There are 4
reimbursement levels for medicines: 100%, 90%, 80% and 50% of reference price.
Subsidised medicines can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription. A
person must show his EHIC and proof of identity in the pharmacy.
Admission to hospital takes place after referral by a GP or specialist. In
the case of an emergency a person can go directly to the hospital and show his
EHIC and proof of identity.
Should you need health care while visiting Lithuania? - Check
that your EHIC is still valid
- Check
that your health care service provider has a contract with the Territorial
Health Insurance Funds (private care is not refundable)
- Present
your EHIC and proof of your identity
- If you
do not have an EHIC, ask the relevant institution in your home country to
fax the Certificate provisionally replacing the EHIC
- If you
do not have an EHIC and there is no possibility of getting the Certificate
provisionally replacing the EHIC, the doctor has the right to charge you
for your visit. Make sure you get a medical extract or doctor’s
explanation form (list of the health care services received)
- The
reimbursement of healthcare costs which you have actually borne during
your temporary stay in Lithuania cannot be requested directly from the Territorial
Health Insurance Funds as Lithuanian legislation does not provide for such
reimbursement.
- If you
need to be reimbursed, present the paid bills, documents proving the
payment and doctor’s explanation form to your relevant institution when
you return home.
- Remember,
only the costs of necessary medical care are reimbursed
