Armenian Parliament adopts draft law on mandatory health insurance in first reading
YEREVAN, December 4. /ARKA/. The draft law on mandatory health insurance was adopted in its first reading at a session of the National Assembly of Armenia on Thursday.
"Our goal is to ensure that by 2029 the vast majority of people have access to this system and are provided with essential primary medical services. The law stipulates the phased implementation of the insurance system over a three-year period," said Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan.
According to her, the law has been developed from the ground up and regulates the entire legal framework for health insurance – from the content of the service package to the reimbursement procedure and complaints review.
She noted that the first stage will begin in 2026, when the system will include two groups: individuals whose insurance is financed by the state—minors under 18; individuals aged 65 and older; individuals aged 18–65 with disabilities (Groups I, II, and III); and families with 28 or more social insecurity points.
The minister announced that in the second stage, beginning in 2027, individuals with salaries of up to 200,000 drams will be included in the system, and from 2028, the remaining groups, including those employed in agriculture and their families, will be included.
"Insurance will finance primary care, emergency care, and inpatient treatment. The specific list of services will be approved by government decision," Avanesyan said.
The minister noted that the insurance is universal and will include all citizens of Armenia, but it will not cover the full range of medical needs for each individual.
"It is aimed at mitigating conditions and illnesses that are the main drivers of morbidity and mortality, as well as ensuring the best treatment outcomes," Avanesyan emphasized.
In 2026, in the first stage of the transition to a universal health insurance system (2026-2028)—1.7 million Armenian residents will be covered by the system. For them, the state will cover 100% of the costs.
The cost of the health insurance package will be 129,600 drams per year, paid monthly. The insurance will cover the most in-demand services, including outpatient care, clinic visits, family doctor visits, specialist consultations, and laboratory tests (a certain number per year). The list of services will be expanded and refined to include certain surgical procedures, including ophthalmological (cataracts), cardiovascular, and others.
The 2026 budget allocates 127 billion drams for the implementation of the health insurance system. ($1 = 381.2 drams).-0-
