For all types of hospital admission, you should have your identification documents (passport with visa and registration papers) and health insurance cards, if available.
There are two types of hospital admissions:
Emergency
In an emergency admission, an ambulance transfers you to the hospital for admission. Depending on your level of insurance you may chose to call the ambulance operated by your clinic or the national ambulance service. Regardless of which you call they will take you to the most appropriate medical facility. You will find a private ambulance is better equipped and has generally better staff, however, they may take longer to respond. In some cases, you may transport yourself to the hospital.
If you are using private medical services, you should have a plan for emergency treatment worked out with your preferred clinic in advance. Every private clinic works differently. It is important that you know under what circumstances this clinic will hospitalize you, if the clinic provides private ambulance services, if advance notification is required for self-transportation, and if an advance financial deposit will be required in case of an emergency.
If you’re using public medical services, you must call a public ambulance. The dispatchers will not speak English. The ambulance will be staffed by a physician who will determine if hospitalization is in fact needed, and to which hospital to take you. In the event that you believe you can transport yourself to the hospital faster, you should still call the ambulance to learn which clinic can take you immediately.
In an emergency, the hospital is legally obliged to treat you and will not turn anyone away, but you can expect to receive a better standard of care if you can provide a medical insurance card and/or pre-payment.
Planned
In planned hospitalization, your doctor will schedule the procedure and you will make an appointment with the clinic for your pre-admittance. Any special requirements for documentation (outside of the standard passport and health insurance cards), pre-payment, or insurance information will be clarified at that time. You will be able to pay using an international credit card in private medical facilities, however, do not rely on this method in a state run hospital, you may be required to pay by cash.
