‘Half a Million’ People Affected by Spanish Changes to Health Insurance
Spain is revising its health insurance system in some regions, resulting in a potential cost increase for expats. Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga have the highest number of private insurance holders, many of them expats, particularly in Malaga. Hitherto, tax has not been applied to health insurance premiums, but exemptions on tax declarations may now be removed. The government aims to begin charging tax on private medical insurance at a rate of 8% – a cost that is highly likely to be passed on to the customer. It isn’t clear yet whether VAT will also be charged on health insurance premiums.
The only silver lining is that this is a watered-down proposal; the initial suggestion was that a 21% tax should be applied. The press has speculated that overall, 12.4 million private insurance policyholders could be affected. The move is facing stiff resistance from opposition parties, but if you hold private health insurance in Spain, it is worth keeping an eye on future developments and asking your own insurer the direct question as to whether government reforms are being applied to them.
Czechs in Favour of Health Reforms
Recent research by the University of Economics (VŠE) and the National Association of Patient Organizations (NAPO) suggest that Czechs are in favour of healthcare reform. Older patients in particular criticised long waiting times, as in the UK, but unlike in the UK, respondents also criticized high co-payments. NAPO has also questioned the legality of these payments.
31% of respondents feel that healthcare in the country has diminished in quality over the last few years, and 80% say that they would be in favour of immediate reforms. If you’re an expat in the Czech Republic, it’s likely that you already have private coverage, but for those using state healthcare, this is worth monitoring.
The Netherlands: Health Insurance to Rise in 2025
Dutch health insurance is due to be hiked in 2025 by at least an additional €11 per month, according to recent reports by health insurance comparison website Zorgwijzer. Insurance provider CZ sees the biggest rise, of €14. There is a price differential of over €400 between providers, so if you’re with one of the Dutch companies, it is essential to shop around and get quotes before your health insurance renews – you have until the end of this year.
The Dutch government will be increasing healthcare allowances from €123 to €130 per month for single people and from €236 to €249 per month for partners. Despite the allowance increase, many will likely still pay more for healthcare, and some medical experts have suggested that the government should pay this directly to insurers rather than to the patient themselves. Dutch insurance companies, meanwhile, blame the rising costs of healthcare and an ageing demographic for the price hike.
Kuwait to Waive Some Health Insurance Fees
If you’re living in Kuwait, don’t have a degree and are over the age of 60, you are about to be exempted from health insurance fees. The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) reports that 97,622 expats in the country come into this category and, on the grounds of improving accessibility, the health authorities will be waiving health insurance costs.
Ipsos World Mental Health Day Report
The 5th Ipsos World Mental Health Day report has revealed a number of findings about mental health across the globe. Key takeaways from the report, undertaken over 31 countries, include:
- Younger generations have been missing work due to stress: a Global Country Average of 54% of Gen Z say they have felt stressed to the point that they could not go to work during the past year.
- Gen Z women are struggling more than their male peers: 40% report episodes of depression.
- 62% of respondents say that stress has affected their daily life: three in five respondents say they have, at least once, felt stressed to the point where it had an impact on their daily life.
- Health of mind and body are seen as equal: 76% of respondents said that they regarded mental and physical health as being equally important.
- Healthcare systems prioritise physical issues: 41% say physical health is treated as more important than mental health by their country’s current healthcare system.
45% of respondents cited mental health as one of the main health issues facing their nation, followed by cancer and stress.
Ipsos interviewed 24,668 people online between July 26 and August 9, 2024.
Healthcare Costs in Thailand Rise
Medical costs in Thailand are set to increase by 15% in 2025. Healthcare providers blame the ongoing effects of the pandemic, with patients who postponed treatment during Covid now seeking care for conditions which may have worsened, and higher rates of infection among children whose immunity deteriorated over the course of the pandemic.
Jeremy Lim at global consultancy Willis Towers Watson told the Bangkok Post that:
“The continual development and advancements in medical technology and delivery infrastructure have also contributed to an increase in healthcare costs.”
All of these various factors have produced a cascade effect, according to Lim, thus sending healthcare costs soaring.
Vietnam: Health Buddy
A new app, Health Buddy, has been set up by Vietnam-based startup Tubudd to connect expats with healthcare providers across Vietnam. The country is fast developing as a destination for medical tourism, and the new app aims to link healthcare providers with tourists.
Ho Chi Minh’s Department of Tourism estimates that around 300,000 people come to Vietnam each year in search of medical care, including cosmetic surgery, dental work, and fertility treatment. Vu Van Tuyen, CEO of Travelogy Vietnam, told the press that:
“Traditional travel insurance often lacks key services such as finding suitable healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas or when language barriers exist. It typically doesn’t cover translation services. Emergency support, including coordinating urgent care and hospital transportation, is often not included. After-care is also not part of traditional insurance, leaving foreigners to manage follow-up care independently.”
Tubudd gained traction during Covid, when it increased its customer services to people trapped at home in lockdown, and has since gone from strength to strength. By integrating tourism with healthcare, the company is continuing to grow.