Healthcare in Russia

It really is almost imperative for any expat moving to Russia to get private international medical insurance with evacuation cover. Russian healthcare, while perhaps very advanced at specialist level, is severely under-funded and in most state hospitals the patient’s family has to provide food, linen and basic cleaning or sanitation for the patient.

There are also chronic medicine shortages, particularly so once you move away from the capital. The private medical clinics are on a par with European and American standards, but will cost you dearly even for a routine appointment. In serious or life-threatening situations, or where any surgery could be necessary, most medical schemes will evacuate the patient to Finland for treatment.