08 April 2021 16:16

Information from the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance

The public has been informed that the nationwide implementation of mandatory health insurance has started. The purpose of the mandatory health insurance system is to establish a new economic basis for the existing financing mechanisms of the health system and to improve the quality of medical services provided to the population.

The State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (Agency) is taking consistent measures to ensure the accessibility of health services for all people and to protect the health of the population. The building of relationships between citizens and the agency in these processes will help to improve the quality of medical services provided to the population. The Agency regularly informs citizens how their inquiries related to the introduction of mandatory health insurance are considered, as well as covering some issues not under the remit of the Agency.

We would like to inform all citizens, that the information about the introduction of mandatory health insurance, the list of medical services included in the Benefit Package and the rules of providing medical services, and information on health facilities controlled by the Administration of the Regional Medical Divisions (TABIB) is provided on the official website of the Agency. There is a calculator for calculating mandatory health insurance premiums on the Agency website. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, citizens can find answers to their questions. Insured persons can see information posts on these topics on the social network pages of the Agency, which are updated daily.

2,550 different medical services are provided under the benefit package. Insured persons may use medical services free of charge at medical facilities upon a referral from a qualified doctor, as stipulated in the Benefit Package. Citizens must pay for medical services not covered by the Benefit Package. After payment is made, a citizen will receive a document certifying payment. 

If a citizen has any questions regarding the mandatory health insurance system, he or she should call the 1542 Call Center of the Agency, or visit the "Electronic Inquiry" section of the website of the agency, or email to info@its.gov.az or write to the official mail address (170, Lev Tolstoy str. Baku, AZ1095) of the Agency. It should be noted that inquiries regarding referrals by doctors to public and private hospitals are considered by the management of the individual health facilities. If the response of the management of a health facility to any inquiry is not satisfactory, citizens may then apply to the Agency. It is a priority of the Agency to receive citizens' inquiries, and to investigate and respond to them in accordance with the legislation.

If a citizen is not satisfied with the quality of medical services provided, or his or her rights have been violated by medical staff, he or she should first apply to the representative of the health facility responsible for citizens' inquiries, or directly to the management of the health facility in accordance with the Order of the Agency "On consideration of citizens' inquiries and reception of citizens". If a citizen is not satisfied with the reply or the action taken, he or she can call TABIB at 012 310 17 70, or e-mail: info@tabib.gov.az or write to the official mail address (11, Ismayil Hidayatzade str. Baku, AZ1154). 

It should be stated that the authority of TABIB also extends to the management and staffing of the medical facilities, the improvement of the professional knowledge and skills of the medical staff, and compliance with the requirements of the legislation on medical privacy.

According to the legislation, if a citizen provides substantiated evidence of any negative situation, the fact will be properly investigated. Proven cases are submitted to the relevant law-enforcement bodies. If it is proved that a medical worker has committed a violation of a citizen’s rights, he or she will be held liable in accordance with the legislation.

It should be stated, that in accordance with the requirements of the law on citizens' inquiries, a citizen must specify his or her name, surname, patronymic, address, telephone number or place of work in his or her inquiry. The text of the inquiry must be written in clear language and the request must be clearly stated. If the required information is not provided, the inquiry will be regarded as anonymous and shall not be considered in accordance with the Law.

According to the Law on Protection of Public Health, a citizen has the right to appeal to higher instances and courts against the actions of state authorities and officials restricting the rights and freedoms of citizens in the area of healthcare protection, in accordance with the relevant legislation.