Best, Worst, Most unexpected thing about FSU

[Neonred 3,444]

Try a different visa processing service. Let them supply the invitation for a small fee. You don't need to make a hotel reservation. You do not need insurance. I did not stay in a hotel, but in my fiancees' flat and used a tourist visa.

I used to use russia-visa.com.

Edited March 11, 2011 by Neonred

[Brad and Vika 129]

I have never been to Russia, but I am curious about the insurance and visa application process.

I read or heard somewhere (maybe here), that Russia makes the visa process for Americans as tough as America makes it for Russians. So if America adds ten questions and a second page to the application, Russia will do the same, also claiming security issues, etc.

In Ukraine, there is apparently no mechanism at all to bill insurance in most cities. We have met two American expats (in Odessa and Kherson) who required fairly extensive treatment for injuries. The one in Odessa had no way to pay for anything, and payment was never discussed. The other, in Kherson, paid a very low fee as he went through weeks of physical therapy. I wonder if the healthcare system in Russia is also social-esque, and the main concern (as in America), is that tourists do not become hospital patients at Russian taxpayer expense.

Thoughts?

[ONA 133]

I read or heard somewhere (maybe here), that Russia makes the visa process for Americans as tough as America makes it for Russians. So if America adds ten questions and a second page to the application, Russia will do the same, also claiming security issues, etc.

The questions are sort of the same, I think that Russian application is a bit shorter with fewer questions though. Also, when the US embassy raises visa fees, Russian embassy does the same.

The difference is that most of applicants from Russia have to go through an interview in the consulate to obtain their visa (nearly all of those, who are getting it for the 1st time), while Americans are usually not required to do that. Also American tourist visa is granted for 1-2 years and it's a multiple entry visa (you can spend in the US up to 6 months at a time), while a regular Russian tourist visa is a single entry visa and it's granted for the specific period of time (you are supposed to indicate the dates of your planned arrival and departure in the visa application), and if you want a multiple entry visa you also have to specify it and give a proper reason for it.

In Ukraine, there is apparently no mechanism at all to bill insurance in most cities. We have met two American expats (in Odessa and Kherson) who required fairly extensive treatment for injuries. The one in Odessa had no way to pay for anything, and payment was never discussed. The other, in Kherson, paid a very low fee as he went through weeks of physical therapy. I wonder if the healthcare system in Russia is also social-esque, and the main concern (as in America), is that tourists do not become hospital patients at Russian taxpayer expense.

Well, explaining how healthcare works in Russia can take quite a while... You can have a look at wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Russia or some other links http://www.allianzworldwidecare.com/healthcare-in-russia

Russian people are not concerned about paying for somebody else's healthcare for reasons like

- different mentality

- very low taxes

Still, I don't think there's a way a tourist can use a state clinic in Russia (unless he bribes somebody, but then... well, it's not for tax payers expense), and state insurance is pretty much for Russian citizens, a foreigner will have to go to a private clinic. A lot of Russian people would go to private clinics too to get better treatment.

Edited March 11, 2011 by ONA

[Brad and Vika 129]

Well, explaining how healthcare works in Russia can take quite a while... You can have a look at wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Russia or some other links http://www.allianzworldwidecare.com/healthcare-in-russia

Russian people are not concerned about paying for somebody else's healthcare for reasons like

- different mentality

- very low taxes

Still, I don't think there's a way a tourist can use a state clinic in Russia (unless he bribes somebody, but then... well, it's not for tax payers expense), and state insurance is pretty much for Russian citizens, a foreigner will have to go to a private clinic. A lot of Russian people would go to private clinics too to get better treatment.

Thanks for the links ONA, I have been wondering about this for some time (purely as an exercise, as I have no plans to visit Russia soon). Let me ask a follow up question here. If a foreigner were to get hurt while on a valid visa in Russia (say, break a limb), and had no money to go to a private clinic, what happens if they cannot visit a free clinic or use foreign insurance to pay?

[james&olya 1,121]

Try a different visa processing service. Let them supply the invitation for a small fee. You don't need to make a hotel reservation. You do not need insurance. I did not stay in a hotel, but in my fiancees' flat and used a tourist visa.

I used to use russia-visa.com.

I think I found the link to Travisa on the russian embassy web-site. Figured I ought to use that to avoid problems. (Somebody probably makes a little extra money this way? ) It is good to know that I don't have to jump through as many hoops for the visa. I still have one more trip planned, to bring Olya and the kids here! I am sure we will make many future trips there as well.

Edited March 11, 2011 by james&olya

[ONA 133]

Thanks for the links ONA, I have been wondering about this for some time (purely as an exercise, as I have no plans to visit Russia soon). Let me ask a follow up question here. If a foreigner were to get hurt while on a valid visa in Russia (say, break a limb), and had no money to go to a private clinic, what happens if they cannot visit a free clinic or use foreign insurance to pay?

I actually had to google some information on that question. Found a link in Russian (http://oneworld.bstu.ru/article/?id=1023) that at least since 2005 the emergency treatment is provided for free, anything other then that has to be paid for.

[eekee 182]

Also regarding insurance, if you're going to a city that has a fair amount of expats--St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev--the expensive Western-style clinics will probably take your insurance. I have blue cross/blue shield, and it's accepted at those fancy places.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Also regarding insurance, if you're going to a city that has a fair amount of expats--St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev--the expensive Western-style clinics will probably take your insurance. I have blue cross/blue shield, and it's accepted at those fancy places.

That is great news! I suppose before one visits SP or Moscow, it would be a good idea to search for those places on the web

Edited March 12, 2011 by Brad and Vika

[Nasturtium 500]

Re: insurance-- I had to pay for two policies when I was on a work visa in Jordan for the differing field seasons with some international company-- it was $100 and covered just about everything (accidents, illness, parasites, etc). I know it listed Russia as a place that accepted it in varying places, but not going there I wasnt concerned to figure it out. Point being, there are options like that as well.

[slim 1,514]

My wife has always told me you don't go to the "free" hospitals for medical care. You pay the good ones.

[eekee 182]

My wife has always told me you don't go to the "free" hospitals for medical care. You pay the good ones.

every time we've had to call skoraya pomosh', though, it's always ended up ok. All of my friends are still in one piece.

Edited March 13, 2011 by eekee

[slim 1,514]

every time we've had to call skoraya pomosh', though, it's always ended up ok. All of my friends are still in one piece.

Traumatic injuries are pretty basic to fix so it's hard for them to mess that up - even while they're drunk. (I'll never forget the guys hanging out the side of the ambulance in Moscow singing and waving their bottles of beer. "Uh... that's an ambulance. Man, we better be careful.")

If you fall and break your arm or something you're probably OK going to the clinic. But, if you have something requiring "further tests" you should probably pay someone who's motivated to help you.

[Captain Hammer 113]

My wife has always told me you don't go to the "free" hospitals for medical care. You pay the good ones.

Yes, this. And even the good hospitals/clinics are WAY cheaper than what you'll pay here.