Cost of health insurance in Armenia will range between 150,000 and 200,000 drams annually
YEREVAN, April 21. /ARKA/. The cost of health insurance, which the government of Armenia is preparing to introduce stage-by-stage, will range, according to preliminary estimates, between 150,000 and 200,000 drams ($390-$529) annually for every working citizen, Lena Nanushyan, Deputy Minister of Health, said in an interview with Radio Azatutyun.
She said some adjustments were being made now as these calculations were made back in 2018 based on then prices of medicines, and since then some major changes have taken place, particularly, according to her, after the coronavirus epidemic, prices increased significantly.
In response to criticism voiced by some NGOs that not all citizens will be able to afford such expensive health insurance plan, Nanushyan said the government, based on certain criteria, will take different approaches to different groups of people.
These criteria, in particular, will include age. For children and the elderly health insurance will be practically free. It will be financed by the state. The benefits will also apply to people with disabilities and those who receive government-paid allowances, she explained.
Citizens who are employed and receive less than the average monthly salary will also be able to count on assistance from the state.
"Those citizens, who earn a little less than 250 thousand drams per month, will also be able to count on the support of the government. These people, for example, will be provided with a "discount" of up to 30%. The state will pay that amount for them," the Deputy Minister said.
The mandatory insurance plan approved by the government in February 2023 will not cover plastic surgery, dental services, additional patient care or some types of post-surgical rehabilitation.
According to the plan, the system will be voluntary until 2025. In 2025 it will involve pensioners. In 2027, the system will become mandatory for all citizens.
Currently, only state-run policlinics provide primary healthcare services to the population free of charge. ($1 - 387.21 AMD) -0-
