U.S. Citizen Services
Information Regarding Medical Services in Prague
DISCLAIMER: This list of medical providers is provided solely as information for American citizens. It is not meant to be exhaustive or definitive, nor does it represent either a guarantee of competence or endorsement by the Department of State or the American Embassy.
While significant differences do exist between American and Czech medical systems, many outdated misconceptions and fears about post-communist medical systems may still linger. A run-down of some of the most important attributes is listed below:
The Czech medical system is no longer entirely socialized. It is partially government-run and partially private, and there are a number of Western trained doctors now operating in Prague. Their numbers can be found in the referrals part of this section.
While medical facilities may seem worn and outdated to the average American, the staff does maintain a standard of cleanliness (for example, many require that you wear disposable shoe coverings in the hospitals.)
The Czech philosophy of medical care and the doctor-patient relationship tend to be more European in approach. That is, the doctor will be less likely to share information about the patient’s condition with the patient than is generally the case in the U.S. This is a cultural difference and not a deficiency in medical care.
The Czech medical system is very segmented. There is no one central emergency room, and so emergencies are often sent to the facility which treats the specific medical condition (i.e., broken noses are sent to the ear, nose and throat facility rather than one central emergency room.) Also, it is not uncommon to find closed doors (where you would knock or ring for service) rather than an open nursing station.
1. PAYMENTS
Foreigners who use Czech medical facilities are expected to pay for their care. The U.S. Embassy in Prague cannot guarantee payment or otherwise take financial responsibility for the medical care of private citizens. MEDICARE does not cover overseas treatment. Credit cards may not be accepted and insurance cards are usually not accepted in lieu of payment.
Generally, patients who have overseas insurance coverage should expect to pay the bill and then seek reimbursement from their insurance company. Contact your health insurance company directly to find out if your policy includes overseas coverage.
2. EMERGENCY CARE
Life-threatening emergencies in Prague and Brno should be dealt with by calling Záchranná Služba (“emergency services”) by dialing 112. Please specify that a physician is needed.
The emergency services physician will generally send the patient by ambulance to the nearest hospital best equipped to deal with the specific type of emergency, all of which are listed at the end of this section. Patients can always request to be moved to a different health facility after their condition has stabilized. Charges will be incurred for services. Please note that transportation to the health care facilities is not free of charge. Payment in cash will be requested by the ambulance crew (aprox. USD 200; credit cards are also accepted).
This list does not include all medical facilities/providers in Prague. The ones included here do cater to foreigners and speak at least some English.
Prague:
Motol Hospital
U Uvalu 84 224-433-681 Adults
Prague 5 224-433-690 Children
American patients are requested to approach the hospital through the Foreigners’ department: Mon-Fri 7 am - 9 pm and Sat-Sun 8 am – 9 pm
24-hour Trauma facility adult and pediatric care
Accepts Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and Diners Club.
24-hour care for major and minor trauma, illness. Has surgery capability, lab, and other diagnostic testing equipment, including CT and MRI. There is an English speaking representative available 24 hours/day upon request.
Na Homolce Hospital 257-272-146 Adults (0730-1600 hrs)
Roentgenova 2, Prague 5 257-272-025 Kids (0730-1600 hrs)
American patients are requested to approach the hospital through the Foreigners’ department: Mo-Fri 7am-4:30pm
Accepts Visa, Mastercard
NO 24-hour emergency care. NOT for major trauma.
Prague Central Military Hospital
U vojenske Nemocnice 1200 220-208-111
Prague 6 220-202-701
24-hour emergency facility. major trauma center. Has isolation unit, surgery capability, lab, diagnostic testing equipment (CT, MRI). There is an English speaking representative available 24 hours/day upon request.
Fakultní Nemocnice Královské Vinohrady
Šrobárova 50, Prague 10 267-161-111
Emergency room, adult/pediatric burn center for the Czech Republic, plastic surgery clinic.
Fakultní Nemocnice Bulovka
Budínova 2, Prague 8 266-081-111
Emergency room, orthopedic surgery, infectious diseases clinic, etc.
Accepts payment by Visa, and has an ATM that accepts Cirrus, MasterCard,
and American Express.
Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM)
Videnska 1958 261-081-111
Krc, Prague 4 Cardiac Unit 261-082-570
Invasive cardiology with cardiovascular surgical support. English speaking medical staff for the most part.
Dental Emergencies:
1) American Dental Center 221-181-121
V Celnici 4
1st floor 24-hour emergency
Prague 1
Website: www.americandental.cz
2) Millennium Dental Care 0800-2000 hours M-F 221-033-405
V Celnici 10
Prague 1
Website: www.mdc.cz
3) European Dental Center 0830-2000 hours M-F 224-228-984
Peckova 9 224-228-994
Prague 8, Karlin 24-hour emergency
Website: www.edcdental.cz
Brno
Ambulance 112
Research Institute of Traumatology 545 538 111
(Ústav Traumatologický)
Ponavká 8
Children:
Faculty Children Hospital 545 122 111
(Fakultní Dětská Nemocnice)
Černopolní 9
First Aid, Dental, Eye Emergencies: 545 541 111
Bratislavská 2
3. NON-EMERGENCY/MINOR EMERGENCY CARE
PolyClinic Narodni 222-075-120
Narodní třida 9, Prague 1 Emergency: 777 942 270
Medical clinic offering general medical care as well as specialized care for adults and children. Run by US Board Certified Physicians. 24-hour emergency service including direct hospital care. Preventive care, home visits, on-site laboratory, all medical staff fluent in English.
Website:
www.poliklinika.narodni.czAccepts major credit cards.
- Unicare Medical Center 235-356-553
Dr. Julia Concha (Pediatrician) 24-hour emergency: 602-201-040; 608 10 30 50
Na Dlouhem lanu 11, Prague 6
Family oriented medical center offering comprehensive medical and dental services. Center has two locations, Prague 6 and Průhonice.
Provides English speaking physicians in a variety of specialities. Will arrange diagnostic tests, X-ray on the compound, can assist with local hospitalization as needed.
Website: www.unicare.cz
Accepts major credit cards.
- Canadian Medical Care 235-360-133
Veleslavínská 1 V Parku 2308/8 After-hours adults 724 300 301
162 02 Prague 6 148 00 Praha 4, Chodov pediatrician 724 300 303
Well-established private outpatient medical clinic providing high quality health care to all foreign residents, visitors to Prague, and Czech citizens who desire above-standard medical services.
English speaking medical staff, primary health care for people of all ages, referral to specialists is required, 24-hour on call service
Website: www.cmc.praha.cz
Major credit cards accepted.
OG Group Medical CentreVodičkova 699/30 224 220 037
3rd stairway, 4 and 5th floor 608 060 680
110 00 Praha 1
Private medical facility providing complex medical care in a wide range of branches of medicine while using the latest medical engineering and therapeutic methods.
Website:
www.oggroup.cz
4. PHARMACIES WITH EXTENDED OPENING HOURS:
Lekarna u Andela
Stefanikova 6 257 320 194
Prague 5, 150 00
(By metro ANDEL)
Mo – Fri 7AM – 9PM
Sat – Sun 8AM – 7PM
Lekarna
Antala Staska 80 261 006 330
Prague 4, 140 00
Mo – Fri 7AM – 8PM
Lekarna Arnika
Dejvicka 29 224 323 786
Prague 6, 160 00
Mo – Fri 7:30AM-6:30PM
Sat 8AM – 12AM
The following pharmacies offer 24-hour service:
Prague 1 Palackeho 5 224-946-982
Prague 2 Belgická 37 222-513-396
Vinohrady (Metro Námesti Míru) 222-519-731
Prague 4 Antala Staska 80
Open Monday-Saturday 0700-2000 261-262-881
Prague 5 Štefánikova 6 257-320-194
Smíchov (Metro: Andel)
Prague 6 Berytos, Vitezne nam. 13 233-350-902
Prague 8 Heydukova 10 266-310-899
Prague 12 Soukalova 3355 241 770 498
Modrany
5. MEDICAL AIR EVACUATION
The first reaction of many people who are hospitalized overseas is to start talking about air medical evacuation to the U.S. or somewhere else. This is certainly possible, but almost no one realizes how expensive or complicated it can be. Depending on where the patient is going, and what kind of in-flight medical care is needed, prices can range from $20,000 to $40,000 or more to get back to the United States. In addition, no evacuation service will take a patient whose condition has not stabilized.
After a patient is deemed healthy enough to travel, the most economical and frequently utilized method for going back to the U.S. is via a regular commercial flight. You usually have to pay for four first class seats (or 6-7 coach seats) to accommodate a stretcher and the people accompanying the patient. Also, most airlines will require that their own physician confirm that the person is fit to travel. Lufthansa has experience in taking stretcher cases to the U.S. from Prague. You should contact the airlines directly to explore costs and requirements.
Some health insurance companies’ policies include medical evacuations as part of their coverage, although they may contract with only a specific evacuation company. Contact your specific health insurance company to find out if their policy includes medical evacuation.
The following is a list of some private medical evacuation companies in this area:
1) SOS International
Andel Park, Karla Englise 3201/6, Praha 5
Administration 222-111-111
FAX: 222-111-112
Alarm center (24-hour) 222-111-155
FAX 222-111-156
2) Ambulance Meditrans 220 113 301 throu 2
Ruzyne Airport
Mikuleckého 1310, Prague 4 12412
Contact: Dr. Chocholous 244 471 072, fax: 244 472 910
3) Lufthansa 234 008 234
Ruzyne Airport, Prague 6 fax: 234 008 295
Lufthansa provides stretcher/medical escort services for passengers. The airline requires a “Fitness for Air Travel” form to be completed by a local physician, in order for Lufthansa’s own medical department in Frankfurt to give a clearance to the patient/passenger. Numbers in Frankfurt: Lufthansa medevac 0049-561 9933 7020
Lufthansa medical escort 0049 221 982 2333
4) Air Ambulance (800) 327-1966
5) American Express Global Assist (301) 214-8228
Medical evacuation is covered for American Express platinum cardholders with travel insurance. Other policies for travel insurance are also sold through U.S. Assist.
Updated November 2009
