25 November 2019 17:03

Mandatory health insurance in Azerbaijan is proposed to be implemented in stages

The State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance (Agency) submitted proposals to the Government on implementation of mandatory health insurance across the country in 2020. The Agency proposed to the Government to implement mandatory health insurance in the republic throughout the year 2020 in four stages. The decision is based on minimizing the risks in transition process to mandatory health insurance, preparing the healthcare facilities and population to this process with the consideration of broad scope of reform and introduction of new financing mechanism at healthcare facilities. 

The proposal suggests that in the first phase mandatory health insurance will be implemented from January in 23 regions. These regions include Guba, Gusar, Khachmaz, Shabran, Siyazan, Khizi, Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Aghsu, Gobustan, Balakan, Zagatala, Gakh, Sheki, Oghuz, Gabala, Goychay, Udjar, Zardab, Kurdamir, Mingachevir, Aghdash and Yevlakh. In the initial stage 23.82 per cent of country’s population will be provided with healthcare services included in the benefit package of mandatory health insurance. In addition, mandatory health insurance in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be implemented starting from 1 January, 2020.  Implementation of mandatory health insurance in  Autonomous Republic is carried out by the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance under the Cabinet of Ministers of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

In the second phase the new system will be introduced from April in 21 regions: Ganja, Goygol, Goranboy, Dashkasan, Samukh, Naftalan, Shamkir, Gazakh, Aghstafa, Gadabay, Tovuz, Barda, Tartar, Aghdam, Aghjabadi, Fuzuli, Beylagan, Khojavend, Khojali, Lachin, Kalbajar. 24.60 per cent of the country’s population living in these regions will benefit from mandatory health insurance.

In the third phase mandatory health insurance will be implemented from July in 15 regions: These regions include Lankaran, Masalli, Lerik, Yardimli, Astara, Jalilabad, Salyan, Neftchala, Bilasuvar, Imishli, Saatli, Hajiqabul, Shirvan, Sabirabad, Jabrayil. At this stage mandatory health insurance will cover 19.53 per cent of population in aforementioned regions.

In the fourth phase mandatory health insurance will be implemented from October in Baku, Sumgayit, Absheron, Khankendi, Qubadli, Zangilan and Shusha. These regions account for 32.05 per cent of country’s population.

The population figures in regions were given referring to the statistics of 2018. The population of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was  excuded in statistics. 

During the stage-by-stage introduction citizens will be provided with primary health care, emergency medical care, outpatient and inpatient treatment, as well as vitally important expensive health services included in the benefit package. 
It should be noted that the Agency has developed a set of medical services (benefit package) to be provided to insured persons accordingly to the type, volume and conditions of mandatory health insurance. The document is currently at the stage of coordination with the relevant governmental agencies. The package includes approximately 3000 medical services. The list of medical services covered and excluded by mandatory health insurance will be published on the official website of the Agency upon approval.