People hear about “health insurance” and don’t realize that PSD (state) insurance and supplemental private insurance are two completely different things with different functions. The article clearly distinguishes between what the state guarantees and what supplemental insurance actually provides—faster access, private clinics, and a wider choice of doctors.
• 2026-10-05
Meta Title: Supplemental Health Insurance: What the PSD Doesn’t Cover
Meta description: Do you think the PSD covers everything? Find out the differences between public and supplemental health insurance—and what you’ll still have to pay for yourself.
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Imagine this situation. Your knee hurts, and you need to see an orthopedist. You make an appointment through your family doctor, but at the reception desk you’re told: the next available slot is in two and a half months. You pay your PSD premiums every month—everything seems to be in order. Yet you have to wait the entire summer for help.
This is where the confusion begins. Most people hear the words “health insurance” and think of one thing. In reality, there are two types, and they’re completely different—mandatory health insurance (PSD), which is administered by the government, and supplemental health insurance, which you purchase voluntarily from an insurance company.
They address different issues. And neither one replaces the other.
PSD guarantees treatment at state-designated facilities, but it does not protect against long waiting lists and does not cover services at private clinics. Supplemental health insurance covers faster access, private clinics, and a wider choice of doctors. If you frequently visit specialists or don’t want to wait for months, consider a supplemental policy as an addition to the PSD, not a replacement.
PSD is mandatory. It is paid by employees (a portion is deducted from their salary), the self-employed, and the government covers the costs for children, retirees, and certain other groups. In 2024, the PSD premium for a self-insured individual was approximately 55–56 euros per month.
You get a lot in return: a family doctor, emergency care, surgeries, hospital treatment, reimbursable medications, and prenatal care. In short, the PSD covers essential medical services at public facilities and those that have contracts with health insurance funds.
But there’s one condition that’s often overlooked: the PSD doesn’t guarantee when you’ll receive that care.
Waiting lists to see specialists—such as endocrinologists, cardiologists, and orthopedists—can stretch on for weeks or even months in some places. Emergency care is provided immediately, of course. But scheduled consultations and tests often get stuck in the system.
The PSD does not cover many smaller but actually important things.
Dental care for adults is only partially reimbursed and only at public facilities. Cosmetic treatments, implants, and most services at private dental clinics come out of your own pocket. Add to that paid consultations with specialists without a referral, most rehabilitation procedures if they don’t meet strict criteria, and more comprehensive preventive checkups.
This is where private health insurance comes in. It does not take over the functions of the PSD—it operates in addition to them.
To make things clearer, here’s how the two systems compare when evaluated against specific criteria.
| Criterion | PSD (public) | Supplemental health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Who Pays | Mandatory contribution (~55–56 EUR/month for the self-insured, as of 2024) | Voluntary |
| Waiting time to see a specialist | Often weeks or months | Usually a few days |
| Choice of clinics | Facilities with contracts with health insurance funds | Private clinics, a wider selection |
| Choice of doctor | Limited | Wider selection; often a choice is available |
| Dental care for adults | Partially, only at public clinics | Depending on the policy, up to a certain amount |
| Preventive checkups | Basic coverage | More comprehensive packages |
| Emergency care, surgeries | Covered | Supplementary, not a substitute |
Here’s the bottom line. PSD is the foundation you can’t do without. Supplemental insurance offers speed, convenience, and choice.
Not everyone needs it to the same extent. Here’s who benefits most from private health insurance.
People who frequently visit specialists. If you have a chronic condition that requires regular checkups, waiting lists quickly become a serious problem.
Families with children. Children’s health can’t wait—when you need a pediatrician or specialist urgently, a private clinic with a valid policy solves the problem in days, not weeks.
And for working people for whom time is precious. Half a day off work for a single visit, plus a months-long wait—these are real costs. Voluntary health insurance simply saves you time in this situation.
Employers in Lithuania are increasingly offering supplemental health insurance as an employee benefit. If your company covers such a policy, it’s usually worth accepting it—the cost to the employee is minimal or zero, and the coverage is substantial.
Supplemental health insurance does not replace PSD. It provides what PSD does not—speed and choice.
The cost of health insurance depends on several factors: age, the selected coverage amount, the package of covered services, and whether there is a deductible (the portion you pay yourself).
Here’s a sample calculation to help you understand the logic.
Sample Calculation for Supplemental Health Insurance Note: The figures are for illustrative purposes only and vary depending on the insurer, age, and the selected plan. Always compare specific offers from insurers before purchasing. Insurance coverage (annual limit): approximate, depending on the plan Covered services: - Specialist consultations - Diagnostic tests - Dental care (up to the amount specified in the contract) - Preventive checkups Real-life example over the course of a year: Visits to specialists are covered by the policy You pay the deductible for each visit yourself (as specified in the contract) Dental visits are covered up to the specified limit -------------------------------------- Potential benefit: if you use these services regularly, the policy often pays for itself.
The numbers vary depending on the insurer and the plan you choose. The logic is clear: if you use the services, the policy often pays for itself.
The first mistake is assuming that supplemental insurance replaces mandatory health insurance (PSD). It does not. PSD is still mandatory, while private health insurance serves as a supplement. If you don’t pay your PSD premiums, a valid voluntary policy won’t cover you in the event of emergency care or major surgeries.
Second—choosing the cheapest policy without reading the exclusions. Many policies do not cover pre-existing chronic conditions if they were diagnosed before the contract was signed. In addition, certain procedures are often restricted or a waiting period is imposed (e.g., some services are not covered for the first 30 days).
Third—ignoring the deductible. A low premium sometimes means a higher out-of-pocket cost for each visit. Here, you need to look at the big picture, not just the annual cost.
And fourth—failing to check the network of clinics. A policy is only valuable if the contracted clinics are located where it’s convenient for you. Before signing, check which facilities are included.
Today, you can compare offers from several insurers online in just a few minutes. For example, Draudykle.lt lets you compare health insurance prices from Lithuania’s most popular insurance companies in one place, see the differences in deductibles and covered services, and then get insured right away without making any phone calls. If you have questions about the terms or exclusions, a DI consultant will explain everything in plain language 24/7.
Do I need additional insurance if I’m already paying into the PSD? Not necessarily—it all depends on your needs. If you rarely visit doctors and waiting lists don’t bother you, PSD may be enough. If you value speed, private clinics, and a wider range of options, supplemental health insurance offers real benefits.
Does supplemental insurance cover surgeries and hospital stays? Usually not to the same extent as PSD. Major surgeries and inpatient care fall under PSD coverage. Private health insurance is more focused on outpatient services: consultations, tests, preventive care, and dental care.
How much does supplemental health insurance cost? The price depends on your age, the coverage amount, and the service package. Before purchasing a policy, it’s recommended to compare offers from several insurers, as terms and prices vary.
Does the policy cover pre-existing conditions? Often not. Most insurers do not provide coverage for conditions diagnosed before the policy is signed. It is essential to read the exclusions and waiting period terms before signing.
Can I insure my whole family under a single policy? Yes, most insurers offer family packages. This is often cheaper than separate individual policies for each family member.
The PSD and supplemental health insurance are not alternatives, but two parts of the same whole. The government guarantees basic coverage, but does not guarantee speed or choice. Private insurance fills precisely those gaps—shorter wait times, private clinics, and a wider selection of doctors.
Before signing up, assess how often you use medical services, compare offers from several insurers, and carefully read the exclusions. Your decision should be based on your actual needs, not just the price.
Compare insurance prices in just a few minutes
Draudykle.lt will help you compare offers from the most popular Lithuanian insurers and purchase insurance online.
Compare prices →This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individual insurance or financial advice. Specific terms, prices, and exclusions vary by insurer.
