Moving to Malta Forums

HEALTHCARE IN MALTA

Malta Information — Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:05 am

Author: Malta Information

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:05 am

HEALTHCARE IN MALTA

Malta has a comprehensive health service which is funded from taxation and is free to patients. All EU nationals resident in Malta are eligible to receive free medical treatment from government-funded hospitals and clinics. The main general hospital is St Luke’s in Guardamangia, where all major operations are performed. There is also a general hospital in Gozo offering a wide range of medical facilities. Throughout the islands, towns and villages have their own medical clinics. There are charges for prescription medicines, but people on low-incomes and those suffering from specified chronic diseases are exempt from payment.

The Maltese Ministry of Health advises foreign residents to take out private medical insurance. There are three very good private hospitals in Malta.

Tourists from the UK and Australia who are visiting Malta for less than 30 days are eligible under reciprocal health agreements for free emergency medical treatment at a state-run hospital.

Travellers are not normally required to provide certificates of vaccination or insulation on their arrival in Malta.

Tap water is safe to drink, but bottled water is also widely available. Milk and dairy products are safe, as are local meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables.

Directory of Hospitals & Clinics

Capua Palace Hospital
Gorg Borg Olivier Street
Sliena SLM 12
Malta
Tel: + 356 2133 5235
Fax: + 356 2133 5077

Gozo General Hospital
Gozo
Malta
Tel: + 356 561 600

Klinika Vella
43/44 Dun Filippo Callejja Street
Zebbug
Malta
Tel: + 356 2146 4757

Mosta Outpatients Clinic
Plot 2 Triqil-Kissier
Mosta
Malta
Tel: + 356 2143 3146

Saint James Hospital
Saint James Square
Zabbar ZBR 05
Malta
Tel: + 356 2169 2002
Fax: + 356 2169 2030

St. Julian's Outpatients Clinic
St. George's Road
St. Julian's
Malta
Tel: + 356 2137 6360
Fax: + 356 2138 3976

St. Mark's Health Clinic
Clarence Street
Msida MSD 10
Malta
Tel: + 356 2124 6654

St. Philip's Hospital
St.Venera HMR 16
Malta
Tel: + 356 442 211
Fax: + 356 446 030

Zammit Clapp Hospital
St. Julian's
Malta
Tel: + 356 344 950
Fax: + 356 344 914

HOUSING IN IN MALTA

Malta Information — Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:03 am

Author: Malta Information

Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 6:03 am

HOUSING IN IN MALTA

Renting Property

There is a wide range of rental accommodation of various types available throughout Malta, including short-term and long-term lets. Most rental properties come fully furnished and equipped. Electricity, water and telephone expenses may be additional to the rent, although they are often included in the rent for short-term lets.

For long-term lets, a month’s rent is usually payable in advance. This is held as a deposit against unpaid bills or necessary repair work, and is refunded if appropriate at the end of the let.

Typical monthly rental prices are as follows:

Small apartment LM 70
House LM 180
Luxury 3-bed seafront apartment LM 300
Villa with private pool LM 500

Rental prices vary between locations, with the highest being found in the Sliema and St. Julian’s areas, and lower cost accommodation available in Msida, Bugibba and the island of Gozo.

Buying Property

Property in Malta is not cheap, but it is usually a very good investment. For several decades, the Maltese housing market has seen average annual gains of around 80%. Over the past two years, most properties have increased their value by at least 20%. Property owners who rent out houses or apartments on Malta usually earn a very good return. There are no property taxes or rates in Malta.

Anyone can buy property in the islands although a government permit may be required (see below). Maltese banks often offer mortgage facilities to non-Maltese nationals, subject to status.

Expatriates who take permanent residence in Malta are required by law to purchase a property there, which must cost at least LM 50,000 (LM 30,000 for an apartment), if they are not renting property for at least LM 1,800 per annum.

Now that Malta is an EU member, non-residents who are nationals of other EU countries can buy a first property in Malta at any price level, and a second property as long as this is for their own personal residence and if the purchase price of the second property is above LM 50,000 (LM 30,000 for an apartment). A permit is required from the Ministry of Finance for purchase of the second property unless the buyer has lived in Malta for more than 5 years. The minimum purchase prices may include the cost of renovation if this is necessary. Application forms for the purchase of property in Malta, and information on the property-buying regulations can be found on the Ministry of Finance website (Acquisition of Immovable Property Section - http://www.aip.gov.mt).

Nationals of non-EU countries have to apply for a government permit to buy property in Malta, and are only allowed to purchase one property, unless it is in one of the specially designated areas for expatriate residence. These areas include the Portomaso Marina development in the fishing village of St. Julian’s, which includes luxury apartments and a yacht marina, and the apartment complex on the waterfront at Vittoriosa. No permit is required to buy property in a specially designated area.

Foreign nationals are only allowed to rent out specific types of properties in Malta: those in the specially designated areas, villas with private pools, and furnished houses or flats which the tourist authority classifies as “first class”.

There are many estate agents in Malta, and buyers can choose from a wide range of properties, from modern apartments with sea or harbour views, to farmhouses or traditional village properties with their own internal courtyards. The Valletta and Sliema areas are the most popular among house buyers, while the quieter Mellieha and St. Paul’s Bay areas are also favoured by retired expatriates.

Typical starting prices for the following types of properties are as follows:

2-bed apartment with harbour view LM 18,000
Unmodernized village house LM 25,000
Converted village house LM 40,000
Harbourfront terraced house LM 40,000
Seaside villa LM 69,000
Seaside villa with sea view and swimming pool LM 140,000
Large (4 bed) villa with large garden and pool LM 300,000

The procedures for buying property in Malta are as follows:

- Once a suitable property has been found and an offer accepted, a preliminary agreement is signed, which commits both the buyer and vendor to complete the purchase under the agreed terms and conditions, provided good title is proved and a purchase permit obtained, if necessary.

- The buyer appoints a Notary Public to act on their behalf, and lodges a deposit of 10% of the purchase price with the Notary Public or estate agent. The deposit will be forfeited and paid to the vendor if the buyer fails to complete the purchase for no valid reason.

- During the validity period of the preliminary agreement (usually three months) the Notary Public carries out the title searches and submits to the Ministry of Finance the application for a purchase permit, if this is required.

- When the searches are complete and the permit obtained, the deed of sale is drawn up by the Notary. On signing the contract the balance of the purchase price, plus stamp duty and legal expenses are paid, and vacant possession is handed over.

Medical Insurance & Health Insurance Guide

admin — Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:46 am

Author: admin

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 2:46 am

Expatriate Insurance, Medical & Health Insurance Guide

For new ex-patriots, leaving our Countries to be based in a developing country, perhaps for some years, it is often a shock to discover that medical treatment of a reasonable quality is just not available, or very expensive, in their new location. Conditions can differ vastly from Baku to Beijing to the Bahamas. Many documented case histories sadly indicate the devastating experience both mentally, physically and financially of falling seriously ill when overseas, can become. Private Medical Insurance when abroad is like a parachute when flying. You may not need one but it better be there, as you and your family would may not survive without one. e.g.: Being evacuated from the Gobi desert, following a car accident resulting in broken bones, coupled to a suspected fractured skull is not an easy matter at any time.

The medical insurance plans you may need are readily available through a worldwide network of specialist Brokers, Independent Financial Advisors, or via the Plan Insurers themselves, who advertise extensively through magazines and expatriate media. Several specialist independent Brokers now have their own websites, offering multiple choices of health insurance plans. The taking of independent advice is always recommended, in order that you not only buy the right plan, but pay premiums appropriate to your new country area. Do not buy a plan without studying the policy wording carefully, particularly underwriting conditions, benefits, etc. If in doubt, ask and then complete all application forms fully, to the best of your ability.

The Premium/Benefit Trade Off

Too frequently, a potential customer or new client will look to lowest price or premium cost comparisons, before really considering the specific benefits and area of cover they may actually need. The ex-patriot client should carefully review benefits of cover offered, check out any limits to that cover and any exclusions made by the insurer. Some plans are cheaper for a reason. Often they include large voluntary deductibles on any claim you might make in future and may severely cap the benefits received under the plan. Cover limits can vary from ?50,000 total cover to as much as ?5,000,000 total cover. Any major operation in the USA or perhaps an organ transplant can soon eat up a " capped cover" plan. Exclusions to the policy should also be read carefully and advice taken from an independent Advisor. Our motto is for clients to "define their needs" first, particular Area of cover they need, then their annual healthcare insurance budget. Then, they should look to premium comparisons, last of all.

Many new entrant expatriate Insurers are taking a much easier line on HIV and AIDS issues as well as offering chronic conditions cover, if such conditions develop during the plan lifetime. Post September 11th 2001, many expatriates are now considering the purchase of income replacement insurance, term life and kidnap insurance, or travel insurance, in addition to their Health Insurance Plans.

Underwriting Terms of Plans

For the individual expatriate or family there are usually only two ways to take out international medical insurance. By means of a "moratorium" application or a "full underwriting" application. It is important to understand this rather jargonised phrases as claims can be rejected if you have inappropriate underwriting. A moratorium plan means that any "pre existing" condition, for which you have had treatment, advice or consultation upon during the last 2,3 or even 5 years in some cases, will be EXCLUDED from cover. Should you then not have any treatment, advice or consultations for such conditions for a further two years, your insurer may add that condition to your policy. Full underwriting applications mean that all medical history questions have to be completed (not needed on a moratorium plan) and that most insurers may then exclude any particular stated condition, which they feel will lead to claims upon them. Full underwriting schemes are a little more complex as sometimes confirmation and clarification letters may be needed from your Doctor in order to have a specific condition covered under your new plan, or for that insurer to offer cover at all (E.g.; HIV or AIDS conditions cover or other long-term endemic/chronic conditions.)

For larger groups of expatriates and large corporate plans, Insurers will frequently offer cover on a "Medical History Disregarded" basis, meaning that a new plan member might even be in hospital for a triple bypass, but still have that condition included in the total corporate plan. Clearly with larger numbers of people in a plan, insurers are prepared to take higher risks and offer lower premiums. Company plans can have premiums some 15% to even 40% less than individual plans, due to the larger numbers of employees and higher annual premium overall, charged by that Insurer.

Vital Questions for the Insurance Provider

1. Does the plan allow for cooling off periods, cancellation and then repayment of premium in full?

2. Does the plan offer "Moratorium or is it "Full underwriting" and do I need to have a medical examination before joining.

3. Does the new Insurer offer a 24 hour help line, 7 days a week, available from anywhere in the World (free phone)? Most Insurers now offer this facility

4. Are my pre-existing conditions excluded when joining and if so, for how long are such conditions excluded?

5. Or all and any Nationalities accepted or are there restrictions applying to local nationals? Some Insurers will only take expatriates abroad and not local nationals into an overseas plan (e.g.: - They may cover six British Nationals in Zambia, not the 100 Zambian local national employees)

6. Does the plan allow you to continue cover unbroken through your lifetime? In most cases insurers will continue to offer existing clients cover year on year, irrespective of age or claims history. I.e.: - Once a customer, you may remain a customer, although premium rates charged can increase dramatically with old age.

7. Does the Insurer allow for any Doctor or Consultant or Hospital within the plan? Are there any restrictions in this respect? Most international plans do not place restrictions on either hospitals or Doctors, but almost all demand that their help lines are called first prior to approval of any inpatient care. (I.e.: pre qualified claim or placing of a bond with a specific hospital by Insurance Company)

8. Does the Insurer provide for direct settlement of bills presented by hospitals worldwide, regardless of location? (Or do I have to pay first?)

9. What are the Insurers procedures for Outpatient claims? Do these require any pre authorization or if stated in the plan can I just pay and claim? How long before I get my money back from the Insurer? (14 days? 28 days?)

The vast majority of expatriate health plans DO NOT exclude certain occupations as do many UK based insurance plans. Expatriate plans do however add to premiums for such as Winter Sports or diving holidays.

Nomenclature, names and Plan Titles

The Product Providers and Insurers delight in launching new plan names with "exclusive" qualities in their brand names over those of their direct competitors. However, international medical insurance plans broadly have three key components, which are in-patient or daycare treatment, outpatient treatment, and then and add-on options.

In this way, a basic or standard plan usually includes in-patient and daycare, but no Outpatient or other cover. Comprehensive plans mostly cover outpatient in addition to the inpatient costs, often with a capped limit, whilst "deluxe" "platinum" or "Premier Plus" plans offer a full cover range of inpatient, daycare, outpatient with routine dental. Possibly maternity, evacuation, personal accident cover and even chronic conditions cover in certain cases. (All the bells and whistles plan) We tend to ignore the names of plans but ensure we have clear ideas of benefits specifically, capping, area of cover and any exclusions, when comparing plans against a clients requirements. For example a USA passport holder living in Paris, who never needs cover in the USA apart from the occasional holiday trip, could take Area 1 European cover, which is often half the price of full world wide cover including the USA. Area 2 is usually described as Worldwide cover excluding the USA or Canada" with Area 3 being the most expensive offering global cover including the USA, all year round

A small travel add-on option can often help with up to 30 days emergency cover in USA or Canada should such be needed. Elective care in USA can also be added for just thirty days a year too, at a substantial discount to full Area 3 cover premiums. Some Insurers now offer modular benefit packages where clients can "pick and choose" benefits, working out their own premiums, at the end of this mix and match.

Emergency, Evacuation and Repatriation

1. Does the Plan include evacuation and repatriation and mortal remains repatriation or are these benefits add on extras?

2. What costs are included in the evacuation or repatriation cover? Some plans only cover travel costs, not accommodation; some plans only give cover one way.

3. Does the Plan cover both your outward journey and pay for you to return from where you started?

4. Does the plan cater for one person or can a business colleague or a family member accompany the Plan holder when travelling for treatment after evacuation? Emergency treatment when abroad can be very stressful at the best of times and being accompanied can be a huge comfort.

Outpatient Costs and General Practitioner Costs

Expatriates with families and small children will know that "Outpatient costs" and visits to the local Doctor are usually the main cost area at home, but particularly whilst abroad. Expats in developing countries are more prone to ill health and most will have at least one or more visits to a GP during a tour of duty. You need to know that GP costs will be fully reimbursed, or that you know the level of deductible, which will be made from any and all outpatient claims. (Each and every claim or an amount, which cumulates annually) Read your Plan carefully.

1. Many Insurers offer a limit or budget Outpatient benefits and these issues should be carefully studied in the new plan. Note any restrictions

2. Check the wording of drugs and dressings offered to note whether "Full Cover" or financial limits are set in the plan.

3. Few plans offer "Elective" or "Well woman " Well man" checks. Most international plans cater for healthcare once the patient has symptoms or is ill. They do not offer preventative checks or Health Checks at the control of the client. (Some larger company plans do offer well man checks)

Outpatient Cover, Complementary Medicine, Dental plan or Routine Maternity plan

If you are able to afford the premiums, Outpatient cover added to in-patient/daycare cover makes sense. In-patient care gives catastrophic cover or a hospital cost cover, but gives no cost cover if you are "walking wounded". A medium range comprehensive plan may well limit the amount you may claim on the Outpatient costs, but a deluxe or fully comprehensive will give Full Cover for this benefit.

Many plans do offer benefit for accidental damage to teeth by accident, but not routine elective dental healthcare Routine Dental treatment is mostly quoted as an optional extra, as is any option to take out routine maternity treatment. Thus, if you break a tooth you are covered but if you visit the dentist for a crown, beware, you may have to pay. Routine maternity care cover can be a valuable part of overseas family planning, yet many women and families overseas, unfortunately only contact their Broker or Insurer when already pregnant. Few Insurers will allow routine maternity costs re imbursement when a woman is pregnant actually taking out the plan. Almost all Insurers will consider an existing pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, but will cover emergency in pregnancy. If a couple have held medical insurance for one year, the Insurer may offer an option, with CO-insurance for routine maternity costs to a budget limit. Talk this over with a specialist Advisor in Expatriate Health Insurance

More Insurers are now taking a more enlightened approach to the subject of complementary care and costs of such as chiropractioners, osteopaths, homeopaths, acupuncturists and the like. These benefits are usually severely "budget capped" by the Insurers, however.

Other Cost Considerations and Options

With the growing range of plans available across the world, across a vast premium spectrum, several new benefit cost areas are mentioned below, which are not always available from all Insurers, but can be quoted selectively in certain Plans.

Well Child care, well man and well woman checks, all can be quoted

Prosthetic Appliances, can be quoted but capped

Eyeglasses and tests quoted on many deluxe and top plans

Crowns, dentures and bridges, routine dental quoted on top plans

Death of Close Relative, round trip costs covered on many plans

Treatment in USA elective or emergency usually can be quoted

Vaccinations, quoted on some plans

Annual Health Checks, quoted on some top plans

Organ Transplants, AIDS and Chronic cover on some top plans

Hazardous Sports, quoted on some plans.

Legal Costs after accidents abroad, quoted in some plans

Complaints

All Insurer Plans should clearly stipulate the complaints and disputes procedures they follow together with any Regulator. They should illustrate how you may contact the right adjudicators in their company or contact your independent Advisor for help) There are also independent Regulatory Authorities available n most Western countries, such as the UK, who can assist you with a dispute with an Insurer (who is being difficult when settling your claim) If you have bought your Plan through the offices of an independent Broker or Specialist Advisor they will almost certainly be glad to help in legitimate disputes with an Insurer. If you are right, have proper records, the Insurers will pay up.

Overview

Generally, as with most Insurance services, you get what you pay for. Read the documentation carefully, particularly the benefits and exclusions clauses. International Medical Insurance is a complex and difficult field. Many Insurers are competing for your long-term business. They all will argue, "Their Plan is Best." Certain strategic insurance considerations have been also affecting the expatriate market since the World Trade Centre disaster. Many ex-patriots are now looking for international term life and income replacement cover, as well as medical insurance. Time will tell how long term insurance growth is affected in this expanding expatriate global market place.

If you purchase a comprehensive plan from a reputable Insurer, via an independent Broker, you are usually not disappointed. However, if you buy what is clearly a cheap cut plan, without advice, beware when trying to make a claim. (They may well have pages and pages of exclusions in the small print)

It is also important for your budget to choose the correct geographical area of cover. Routine travel options can be taken at much less cost than full-blown USA cover, if you do not really need elective USA cover. Voluntary excesses on claims can substantially reduce premiums, as can co- insurance payments. (Sharing risk costs with the Insurer)

In the final analysis, international expat medical insurance is best to have at your side so that "you may sleep at night abroad" rather than to think of ways to claim. If both parties fully understand the contract and deal in good faith, Insurers very much want to keep clients for the long term. It is always better however, to compare and study at least three packs of brochures from differing Insurers, or have a review done by an independent Broker specializing in the Healthcare Insurance field. All the material needs attention and careful reading. Understand what you are committing to, what the contract actually states, not what you may think it states (or some salesman told you) and what geographical limitations are set giving your area do cover.

You may not need to read this contract again until the moment you need medical aid. Remember, that Brand name alone does not necessarily indicate good service, but that in 2002, many lesser-known expatriate specialist Insurers offer excellent premiums, wide benefits, good claims records and fast efficient electronic client services. Professional support teams are vital in overseas emergencies. Your Helpline card is the key to medical help and assistance 24 hours a day, whilst Overseas. Make sure that you have it to hand and that you know how to use it. With most Insurers now offering toll free global lines 24 hours a day, these vital help-lines are the first port of call, prior to any treatment being arranged, with the exception of emergencies. Establish contact as soon as you can, then let the Insurers assistance teams do the rest.

Article Prepared By

J Leslie Smith B Sc Econ Honours Associate IEE
Chairman and Managing Director
Medibroker International