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HEALTH

Queues for tests, shops and hairdressers: How Austria reacted to the lockdown relaxation

With lockdown rules relaxed, people flooded to shops and testing sites across the country on Monday.

Queues for tests, shops and hairdressers: How Austria reacted to the lockdown relaxation
People queue out the front of a Zara store in Vienna on February 8th, 2021. Photo: JOE KLAMAR / AFP

Austria has loosened its lockdown, opening schools, museums, hairdressers, shops, beauticians, art galleries and even zoos. 

Long queues began forming early on Friday afternoon outside the testing centre at the Orangerie at Vienna’s Schönnbrunn Palace as people waited to be tested ahead of hairdressers re-opening. 

The Schönbrunn Palace tweeted a photograph of the testing centre ahead of opening. Medical professionals are available to carry out tests from 6am to 9pm, both for walk-in appointments and at a nearby drive-in centre. However, booking is essential. 

 

Gerhard Paleczny tweeted from inside the building “This is how we test for Covid in Vienna” with the city’s popular hashtag Wienliebe (Vienna love). 

 

ZDF journalist Britta Hilpert tweeted from Vienna’s Mariahilfer Strasse at 9:45am, noting that even 15 minutes before all the stores were open, the queues were are up to two blocks long. 

 

Meanwhile author and blogger Brigitte Winklbauer posted videos and photographs from Vienna’s Schönbrunn zoo of orangutans, a panda and a polar bear.

The zoo reopened today after 97 days of closure with an upper limit for visitors and an FFP2 mask requirement throughout the zoo. 

In Salzburg, the tourist information tweeted that Salzburgs Museums would come back to life  with its cathedral quarter, airplane museum and zoo open again on Monday, and the Salzburg Museum on Tuesday.

Salzburg Museum also tweeted to say it was looking forward to seeing all its Sattler Panorama fans, and all those who want to become one.  

 

 

 

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HEALTH

Is it worth it to get a private health insurance in Austria?

Private healthcare insurance gives you quicker appointments and more time with doctors, but it comes with a price. Here is what you need to know to find out if it is worth it for you.

Is it worth it to get a private health insurance in Austria?

Austria is known for having a well-functioning public healthcare system, but recently, the number of public doctors has been decreasing while the number of private ones continues to grow.

Public doctors are often associated with long waiting times and less time spent with each patient.

Going to a private practitioner could be a solution for receiving better care, as it allows more time with the specialist and usually an earlier appointment.

However, if you are only insured with public insurance, visiting a private doctor comes with higher costs. If you have the option, private insurance might sometimes be a better alternative.

Here is what you need to know about private health insurance.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What happens if you’re off sick for a long time in Austria

Doctor taking care of injured patient. Photo by Tom Claes on Unsplash

What are the benefits?

If you are considering private health insurance, it is important to consider your individual case, what you need, whether it is worth it, and what kind of insurance might be suitable for you.

Getting private health insurance can be a good idea if you frequently need medical care or just want faster appointments and more time with the doctors.

While you can still see private doctors, such as the so-called Wahlarzt in German, and access private healthcare options with public insurance by paying out of pocket, you will only receive partial reimbursement.

Therefore, getting private insurance might be beneficial if you need to see a healthcare provider more frequently.

With private insurance, you typically pay a fixed monthly rate, which covers a wide range of private healthcare options. These include visits to private doctors, certain dental procedures, eye care, wellness services, and physiotherapy, among other things.

If you have private insurance, you also have access to a broader selection of healthcare providers and facilities. You often receive more comfortable hospital stays, medication coverage, and sometimes international healthcare coverage.

Exactly how much private insurance covers depends on the type of insurance company and package you choose.

Some insurance companies cover specific costs completely, while others cover them only to a higher percentage. However, private insurance generally covers a much higher percentage of most costs than public insurance.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

How much does it cost?

The monthly cost for private healthcare insurance averages around €30 for children and between €45 and €100 for adults.

You can often save on the costs by choosing regional rates, family coverage, or agreeing to a deductible, where you pay part of the costs yourself.

If a larger company employs you, they might offer private group insurance, which often results in lower costs because the employer contributes to the premiums.

When you apply for private insurance, the insurance company usually examines your health and medical history. The cost is then decided based on age, health status, and healthcare needs.

Signing up for private healthcare insurance at an early age can be a good idea since it often means lower costs. Existing health insurance contracts are adjusted annually for inflation only, without further adjustments.

UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Generali Health Insurance, Mercury, Allianz Health Insurance, and the Danube are among Vienna’s largest and best-known private healthcare insurance providers.

READ NEXT: EXPLAINED: What is a Wahlartzt in Austria?

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