Topic

Name

Date

Question/Answer

Life

Insurance

Doctors

Dentists

Ann

03/11/06

In your opinion is it easy to obtain life insurance (to cover re-patriation or indeed funeral expenses on Kefalonia) whilst resident overseas?

How does registering with a doctor/dentist work (if in fact you do register with one)? 

Kefalonian Homes

05/11/06

There are many reputable Greek insurance companies who offer Life Insurance.  Most Greek banks offer this type of insurance and their rates can be found on their individual web-sites.  Please see our ’Useful Links’ for further information.

If you are looking only to cover repatriation or funeral costs then we suggest taking out a life-only policy covering the amount you feel would be sufficient.

Please note that cremation is still not available in Greece.

Doctors and Dentists  - You need not ‘register’ with either.  In most cases it is the patient (NOT the Practitioner) who keeps their own medical records and this leaves you free to ‘shop-around’ and choose who you prefer. For obvious reasons it pays to stick with your choice over time as they will get to know you and your history.

The consultation fee for a ‘private’ doctor is about €35.  A dentist will charge up to about €20 for a check-up and clean.  Medical and dental facilities are far from over-stretched on Kefalonia and, therefore, there is no need to make an appointment

If you are a pensioner, or paying IKA (Greek National Insurance) then you can use an IKA (national health) doctor or dentist at nominal cost.  Demand for this service is higher and will probably involve queuing, etc.

It is also possible to go to morning clinics in hospital where you will be seen for a nominal charge.