Overview
Lithuania is quickly becoming as one of the leading and most innovative healthcare systems in all of Europe. Lithuania’s current healthcare system is efficient and forward thinking, set to continue upward progression for many years to come. The Lithuanian healthcare system is governmentally funded through a national health insurance arrangement. All Lithuanian employers are obligated to register their employees in the arrangement, which automatically covers the worker’s family members. While disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly and those with terminal illnesses, do not have to pay into the system, they are still covered and provided adequate healthcare coverage.
Lithuania Healthcare System
The Lithuanian National Health Concept was implemented in 1991 by the Supreme Council – Reconstituent Seimas. The new Concept introduced health coverage and prioritized disease prevention and primary care. The National Health Insurance Fund was established shortly after the implementation of the National Health Concept. By 2000 the bulk of Lithuanian health care facilities were non-profit-making organizations. As a result, a private sector developed, providing mainly outpatient services that were paid for out-of-pocket. The Lithuanian Ministry of Health also runs numerous health care facilities and is involved in the running of the two major Lithuanian education hospitals.
In modern day Lithuania, Compulsory Health Insurance is readily available for Lithuanian residents. There are 5 total Territorial Health Insurance Funds accounts, covering Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai and Panevėžys. The insurance scheme does not cover adult dentistry or, for the most situations, outpatient prescription medicines. Only about 1% of Lithuanian residents take out additional voluntary health insurance. Emergency medical services are provided completely free of charge to all residents.
When traveling to Lithuania for a medical procedure, it is highly advised to seek care in one of their leading private hospitals as opposed to having the procedure done through the public healthcare system. Lithuania has three facilities accredited by the Join Commission International currently: JSC Northway, SK Inpeks Medicinos Diagnostikos Centras, and UAB Kardiolita.
Top hospitals for medical tourism in Lithuania
- Kaunas Red Cross Clinical Hospital: With a history dating back to 1908, the Kaunas Red Cross Clinical Hospital is one of the oldest and most respected hospitals in all of Lithuania. It is one of the largest multi-function health facility in the country, offering both impatient and outpatient services.
- Vaiko Raidos Centras: Established in in 1945, the Vaiko Raidos Centras. It is a pediatric hospital with top level health professionals who focus on the diagnosis and treatment for childhood diseases, and also provide surgical and rehabilitation services for children of all ages.
- Vilnius University Hospital Santara Clinics: Starting operations in 1980, the VUH Santara Clinics is one of the largest and highest rated Lithuanian hospitals. VUH provides specialized personal health care services and carries out ongoing pedagogical and scientific research. VUL Santara Clinics provides essential and planned assistance to top-level doctors and nurses. Experienced secondary and tertiary specialists-consultants consult and advise in polyclinics and a wide variety of other areas.
Common treatments done by medical tourists in Lithuania
- Anti-aging programs
- Botox/matrixed injections
- Breast augmentation/reduction
- Cancer/oncological treatment
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Cosmetic surgery
- Ear correction
- Eye surgery
- Liposuction
- Facelift
- Teeth Whitening
Cost of medical treatments in Lithuania
The following are cost comparisons between Medical procedures in Lithuania and equivalent procedures in the United States:
| Procedure |
US Hospitals |
Lithuania |
Average Savings |
| Cosmetic Surgeries/Rhinoplasty |
$5,000-$10,000 |
$1,400-$1,600 |
84%-72% |
| Breast Augmentation (standard) |
$9,162-$10,995 |
$ 3,742-$3,337 |
59%-69% |
| Laser Teeth Whitening |
$1,500 |
$450 |
70% |
Malpractice and liability laws in Lithuania
Lithuania is among a few European countries traditionally lacking a solid background in management of legal cases involving alleged media malpractice. The information resulting from the practice in use within these settings is the consequence of a context not comparable with the European level in the field. There are many private and governmental agencies hard at work to bring Lithuanian laws for medical standards up to the standards of the rest of Europe.
Pros
JCI Accreditations
As previously mentioned, Lithuania is home to 3 institutions accredited by the JCI. Low Cost
Lithuania has very attractive costs for eating, drinking and seeing the town. The prices of the private clinics are extremely competitive for private treatments. English is spoken by the general public
While only a total of 30% of Lithuanians speak English, most of the young residents speak is fluently as a second language. You should have no trouble finding an English speaking advisor when seeking medical treatment.
Cons
Long waiting list for some private Hospitals
Lithuania is one of the fastest growing medical tourism destinations around the globe, and the wait times for some of the private clinics reflect this. Cultural Shock
Lithuanians are not the most sociable people, but it’s not a slant to tourist. The locals may seem cold, but don’t let their demeanor led to any negative thoughts or feelings as this is simple their culture.
Traveling to Lithuania
Vilnius Airport is the main international gateway and largest of Lithuania’ commercial airports.
Average estimated travel time in hours
| From/To |
Lithuania |
| New York |
10 |
| Los Angeles |
13 |
| Miami |
15 |
| Toronto |
12 |
| Uruguay |
12 |
| Paraguay |
8 |
| Bolivia |
11 |
| Venezuela |
13 |
| Dubai |
9 |
| Riyadh |
11 |
| Kuwait |
12 |
| London |
3 |
Entry and exit requirements to Lithuania
Lithuania is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Lithuania for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket.
Statistics for medical tourism in Lithuania
Lithuania has recently experienced a boom in medical tourism, especially from patients in the UK are beginning to explore other destinations to rely on their healthcare. Medical Tourists from the UK to Lithuania have increased by 19.5% over the last two years. In fact, Lithuania is fast becoming a medical tourism destination patients all around the rest of the world. Over the same time period, the total number of patients visiting from abroad was up by 42.3%.