Private Healthcare Insurance In Denmark: What You Need To Know

Denmark's healthcare system is ranked among the best in the world, with large, publicly-funded hospitals and a National Health Insurance system. The system is decentralised and funded by taxes, with services provided at no cost to the public. However, dental services are not included in the public healthcare system and must be paid upfront by the patient. Due to the high quality of public healthcare facilities, there is a small presence of the private healthcare sector in Denmark. Private health insurance is available for those who prefer private care, and its popularity has been increasing due to more employers offering private health insurance to their employees.

Denmark's public healthcare system

The Danish healthcare system can be divided into two sectors: primary healthcare and hospitals. Primary healthcare deals with most healthcare issues and is available to all citizens, including general health treatments and preventative care. If a patient requires further specialised care, they are referred to the hospital sector by their general practitioner.

To access public healthcare in Denmark, individuals must obtain a CPR card (a Danish social security number) or a yellow health insurance card. Citizens, permanent residents, and expats working in Denmark for more than three months are eligible for public healthcare. EU/EEA citizens with public healthcare insurance in their home countries and residents of Nordic countries are also eligible. Foreign nationals who are unable to obtain a CPR card or yellow card are recommended to obtain private health insurance.

Public healthcare services in Denmark cover a wide range of services, including physiotherapy and children's dental treatments. However, dental and vision care are not typically covered under the national health insurance scheme, so additional insurance may be needed.

The public healthcare system in Denmark is well-maintained and staffed, with hospitals owned and operated by five regional councils: Region Nordjylland, Region Midtjylland, Region Syddanmark, Region Hovedstaden, and Region Sjælland. The regions own, manage, and finance hospitals and finance the majority of services delivered by private general practitioners, specialists, physiotherapists, dentists, and pharmacists.

Overall, Denmark's public healthcare system provides universal, high-quality care to its residents, with a focus on accessibility, equity, and patient satisfaction.

Private healthcare in Denmark

Denmark's healthcare system is ranked among the best in the world, with large, publicly-funded hospitals and a National Health Insurance system (NHI). The system is decentralised and counties under the five regional councils are responsible for providing free or subsidised healthcare to their citizens. The standard of healthcare is incredibly high, with numerous medical facilities to choose from throughout the country.

Public vs Private Healthcare

Most people in Denmark opt for public healthcare because of its high quality. However, private healthcare is available for those who prefer it. The popularity of private healthcare has been increasing recently, mainly due to more employers offering private health insurance to their employees. This enables them to bypass the waiting times often associated with public healthcare systems.

Private Healthcare Providers

There are very few private hospital providers in Denmark, such as Danske Privathospitaler (DAPH), and they account for less than 1% of hospital beds. Private healthcare services are superior, as public facilities are often overcrowded. However, private healthcare can be costly without expat health insurance.

Health Insurance

Anyone working in Denmark can apply for a public health insurance card, also known as a yellow card. EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state healthcare, while UK citizens can use the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Expats should enquire with their Danish employer about their health insurance policy.

Public healthcare insurance in Denmark includes free GP visits, access to primary medical care, specialist care if referred by a GP, 24/7 emergency care, hospital treatment, and home nursing and visits. Dental services for children under 18 are also covered, but adult dental care is not included in the public healthcare system and must be paid upfront by the patient.

Private health insurance for expats

Denmark's healthcare system is ranked among the best in the world, with large, publicly-funded hospitals and a National Health Insurance system (NHI). The system is decentralised, with counties under five regional councils responsible for providing free or subsidised healthcare to citizens. The national government provides block grants from tax revenues to the regions and municipalities, which deliver health services. All residents are entitled to publicly-financed care, including free primary, specialist, hospital, mental health, preventive, and long-term care services.

Public Healthcare in Denmark

Expats working in Denmark for more than three months are eligible for public healthcare. To access this, expats need to obtain a CPR number (a personal registration number) and a yellow health insurance card. The yellow card is usually delivered within a month of applying for a CPR number. This card provides access to free or subsidised public health services.

Private Healthcare in Denmark

The high quality of public healthcare in Denmark means that there are only a few private healthcare facilities in the country. However, their popularity is increasing, and the number is growing. This is partly due to more employers offering private health insurance to their employees, which enables them to bypass the waiting periods often associated with public healthcare systems.

Expats who want to avoid waiting lists and have faster access to specialists and elective procedures may want to consider private health insurance. This covers treatment at private clinics, physicians, specialists, and private hospitals.

There are different levels of coverage when it comes to private health insurance. The most basic type is provided by the non-profit organisation Danmark Sygeforsikring. It covers statutory copayments for pharmaceuticals and dental care, as well as other specialties not covered by state medical care, such as psychology or physiotherapy.

Expats can also take out a supplementary insurance plan, provided by for-profit insurers, which includes wider access to the private medical sector. This is often included as an employment benefit.

Average Cost of Private Health Insurance in Denmark

Health insurance in Denmark costs around 130 DKK (20 USD) per month for adults or 1,560 DKK (230 USD) annually. The price may increase with age, and some insurers may stop offering coverage for those aged 65 or older.

The Danish healthcare system

Denmark has a universal healthcare system, which all residents can access equally. The system is decentralised, with the national government providing block grants from tax revenues to the regions and municipalities, which deliver health services. The standard of healthcare in Denmark is very high, with numerous medical facilities to choose from. The system is tax-funded and readily available to the public, with no direct cost to the patient.

Public Healthcare

There are plenty of excellent public healthcare facilities in Denmark. To access these, a public health insurance card, or a yellow card, must be produced. Expats will need to select a general practitioner to oversee all their non-emergency medical needs. Patients who wish to see a specialist must first get a referral from their GP. Each municipality is responsible for administering primary healthcare and social services. The public healthcare services cover a wide range of services, including physiotherapy and children's dental treatments.

Private Healthcare

Due to the high standard of public healthcare, there are only a few private healthcare facilities in Denmark. However, their popularity has been increasing, and the number is growing. This is largely due to more employers offering private health insurance to their employees, which enables the use of private healthcare facilities and bypasses the waiting periods sometimes associated with public healthcare systems. Private healthcare services in Denmark are superior, with less overcrowding. However, private health services can be costly without expat health insurance.

Insurance

The Danish healthcare insurance system, Sygesikring, has two groups. People in group 1 are registered with a general practitioner from a list of doctors in their area. Most of the time, consultation with a specialist must be done through the GP. Apart from dental, optical and homeopathic treatment, medical care is free of charge. People in group 2 do not have a general practitioner and are free to choose their healthcare provider. However, they must pay the difference in fees if the consultation fee is higher than the subsidy set by the region.

Danish insurance groups

Denmark's healthcare system is decentralised, with counties under the five regional councils responsible for providing free or subsidised healthcare to their citizens. The national government provides block grants from tax revenues to the regions and municipalities, which deliver health services. All residents are entitled to publicly financed care, including largely free primary, specialist, hospital, mental health, preventive, and long-term care services.

There are two groups of health insurance when you are covered by Danish health insurance:

Group 1

• People in group 1 are registered with a general practitioner from a list of doctors in their area.
• Most of the time, consultation with a specialist must be done through the GP (not necessary in the case of a dentist or ophthalmologist, for example).
• Apart from dental, optical and homeopathic treatment, medical care is free of charge.
• Most people in Denmark are covered under this scheme.

Group 2

• People in group 2 do not have a general practitioner and are free to choose their healthcare provider.
• You have to pay the difference in fees, which are set by the doctors themselves, if the consultation fee is higher than the subsidy set by the region.
• You have the possibility of changing groups by applying online, or changing GPs after 6 months.
• Please note that there is a charge for this, which is around DKK 200.

Private Healthcare in Denmark

Due to the high quality of public healthcare facilities, there is a small presence of the private healthcare sector in Denmark. There are few private hospital providers, such as Danske Privathospitaler (DAPH), and they account for less than 1% of hospital beds. However, the popularity of private healthcare has been increasing, and the number of providers is growing. This is largely due to more employers offering private health insurance to their employees, which enables the use of private healthcare facilities and bypasses the waiting periods often associated with public healthcare systems.

Frequently asked questions