Georgia’s medical system. Pros and cons.

In Georgia, you have to pay for all medical services: doctor's visits, examinations, tests, hospitalization, and medicines. There is no free medicine here.

Is the quality of medicine in Georgia as high as the cost of services? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of Georgian medicine? MEDplus editors learned from Iryna Kvantaliani, director of the Ukrainian center «YOUR UKRAINE», who temporarily lives in Tbilisi.

Do I have to pay for all medical services in Georgia?

You will have to pay for all medical services out of your pocket, and it is a lot of money. For example, a doctor’s visit can cost up to $35. For an X-ray of a limb will take 10 dollars, a picture of one jaw — 28 dollars, and the cost of an MRI can reach a hundred dollars.

«Not everyone can afford a regular doctor’s visit. After all, it costs more than 50 GEL. And this even though the doctor will not even write a prescription. For that, you have to come back next time», — says Iryna in the video

You can expect help from the government only in a critical situation. For example, it will pay for an expensive operation that a person with an average income cannot afford in a lifetime.

Calling an ambulance is free for locals, but you have to pay for outpatient and inpatient treatment. And unlike in EU countries, the ambulance comes to any call: high blood pressure, pinched nerve, fever in a child.

Foreigners without a residence permit in Georgia still have to pay 25 dollars for an ambulance call. In addition, they will be charged for treatment at the medical center. If the patient does not have the money to pay, Georgia will forget its famous hospitality — there will be complications with discharge from the hospital or problems and fines when leaving the country.

What medical facilities are available in Georgia?

No matter where you are insured, by the state or by a private company, you will be treated in the hospital of your choice. After all, 90% of hospitals in Georgia are private, with modern equipment, nice renovations, and polite staff. Insurance companies and the state have contracts with them. The system works like «money follows the patient». Wherever you go, you get paid. This gives medical institutions a strong incentive to fight for patients, create conditions, and attract the best specialists. This system is a plus for large cities with a significant flow of patients. In remote and rural areas of Georgia, it is not profitable for private institutions to operate. Therefore, residents of these areas must travel to the cities to receive the full range of necessary medical services.

In 2014, the state bought out some commercial medical centers in the high mountain regions so that the population could have access to medical care.

What is the attitude towards vaccination in Georgia?

Immunizations for children in Georgia are free and mandatory. For violating the immunization calendar schedule, parents may be held administratively liable. Usually, the state offers the cheapest vaccines, so parents often buy other, more expensive preparations.

Is dental care included in the insurance?

Dentistry is expensive in Georgia, and state insurance covers only the bare minimum.

«For example, you can get a simple filling for free», — Iryna says.

Will all medicines be available in a pharmacy?

As of March 2022, the reform also affected pharmacies in Georgia. Now, medicines with significant side effects are sold only on prescription.

«Antibiotics, hormonal drugs, antidepressants, you can buy only with a prescription», — says Iryna.

What kind of medicine for Ukrainians in Georgia?

Ukrainians who temporarily left the country because of the war, the state insurance of Georgia is not provided. But private insurers came to the aid of our compatriots. They provide Ukrainians with policies on their initiative.

«TBC-L company offers free travel insurance for one month to citizens of Ukraine who are staying temporarily in Georgia. Such insurance covers expenses that may arise as a result of any injuries, or acute illnesses», — says Iryna.

After that, Ukrainians can apply to another insurance company that also offers policies for refugees. The Evex chain of clinics has decided to make remote consultations with family doctors and emergency visits free of charge for Ukrainians. The PHARMADEPOT chain of pharmacies is offering a thousand hryvnia voucher for medicines.

What are the disadvantages of the Georgian healthcare system?

• Paid state insurance — every month a certain amount of money must be allocated from the family budget for insurance, and in case of illness, you will have to pay extra for certain services and medicines.
• Expensive treatment — if there is no insurance, treatment will hit the budget of an average Georgian family hard.
• Medical care is not accessible to everyone — despite the efforts of the authorities, there is a shortage of medical facilities and specialists in remote mountainous areas.

What are the advantages of the Georgian healthcare system?

• The state pays for the most expensive treatment — surgeries, the cost of which is unaffordable for an individual, as well as treatment of oncology and other complex diseases.
• Ambulance service — for Georgian citizens, the ambulance is free of charge and comes to any request.
• Quality service — most medical centers are private and compete for patients, which means that they are constantly improving their services, facilities, and medical staff.
• Helping Ukrainians — even private insurers and companies do what they are not required to do. They voluntarily help Ukrainians from their own pockets.