Copayments apply to outpatient Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans when prescribed by a qualified physician. For these examinations, the patient is required to pay 20% of the tariff specified in the Benefits Package.

Example: Tariffs for outpatient MRI and CT examinations range from 50 to 120 manats, depending on the region of the body being examined. Accordingly, the copayment would be 10 manats for a 50-manat service and 24 manats for a 120-manat service. Please note that copayments are subject to VAT.

Family physicians attached to the insured and in urgent cases an ambulance crew provide home health care services.

Mandatory health insurance is a form of social protection of population. It is as a system of juridical, economic and institutional measures established by the government mainly focused on provision of primary health care, first aid and emergency medical assistance to population (insured) at the expense of resources of mandatory health insurance in case of insurance claim and in provision of the medical services to insured within the specified conditions of benefit package.

The salary of healthcare workers consists of fixed monthly official (base) salary, allowances for working conditions, incentive increments, and other payments provided by the Labor Code, depending on their position, seniority, and performance evaluation.

In accordance with the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Protection of Public Health” and the Rules for issuing referrals for the provision of medical services at the expense of the Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund, insured persons have the right to choose a medical institution and a physician.

Persons seeking free health care services covered by the Benefits Package of mandatory health insurance may visit any of the state healthcare facility attached to TABIB and medical institutions of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan. All patients are required to present their identity card at the healthcare facility.

The insured person may change his / her attached healthcare facility at his / her own request at least 1 calendar year after the date of registration. When change in place of residence occurs, the insured person must apply to the healthcare facility in the new area for registration without considering the time limit.

Inpatient medical examination and treatment are provided on the basis of medical conditions and prescriptions. The medicines and medical supplies used in these cases and daily meal is included in the benefit package.

Healthcare services are rendered to insured persons during the waiting period:

• No later than 14 days from the date of referral issue for specialized outpatient care;
• No later than 14 days from the date of referral issue for instrumental diagnostic and laboratory examinations;
• No later than 20 days from the date the referral issued to the insured person for scheduled inpatient care, except for the cochlear implantation and intra-articular endoprosthesis replacement.
   

In case of emergency, medical care is provided immediately according to the medical indications.

• Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan with an identity document.
• The foreigners, and stateless persons who have obtained refugee status in the Republic of Azerbaijan and are under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Azerbaijan. To benefit from mandatory health insurance, they are required to present the relevant document.
• The foreigners and stateless persons who are temporarily or permanently residing in the Republic of Azerbaijan and paying mandatory health insurance premiums. They are required to present the relevant permit for temporary or permanent residence issued by State Migration Service.

Since April 1, 2021 mandatory health insurance has been applying throughout the country.

The mandatory health insurance does not apply to military servicemen on fixed-term military service, arrested persons, persons deprived of their liberty for certain terms and persons serving life imprisonment (except persons in detention facilities), as well as except people mentioned in the articles 15-2.1, 15-2.2.1, 15- 2.2.2, 15-2.2.3 of the “Law on Medical Insurance”, foreigners or stateless persons temporarily visiting, temporarily or permanently living in the Republic of Azerbaijan in accordance with the Migration Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan (except foreigners or stateless persons who were granted refugee status in the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as foreigners and stateless persons who are under protection of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Republic of Azerbaijan). 

The purpose of mandatory health Insurance is accordingly to a new economic basis to improve the existing financing mechanisms of health sector and therefore increase the quality of medical services and the population’s access to these services.

A copayment is the portion of medical expenses not covered by mandatory medical insurance, which the insured person is responsible for paying.

A benefit package is a set of health services provided to insured person accordingly to the type, volume and conditions of health services provision and paid for from the mandatory health insurance fund. The Benefit Package includes 3315 medical services.

• Medicines and medical supplies used during emergency and urgent medical care;
• Medicines and medical supplies used during inpatient medical care;
• Anesthesia, medications, and medical supplies used in certain outpatient medical services provided at medical facilities.

Insurance limits apply to certain medical services within the Benefits Package. For physiotherapy, you can receive services up to 30 times per year, with no more than 3 services allowed per visit. Limits also apply to organ transplant surgeries. Annually, the total number of liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplants covered across the country is capped at 100, 150, and 20 procedures, respectively. These limits are in place to ensure fair and efficient use of healthcare resources.

• Medical certificate about routine examination of children under 18 years of age 
• Medical certificate about medical examination of conscripts to military service 

• A certificate of fitness to drive – 50 AZN
• A certificate of fitness for work – 40 AZN
• Other types of medical certificates
   

The Benefits Package does not cover medical services provided under state programs, as well as cosmetic procedures, plastic surgeries, dental services, artificial insemination, and other non-covered medical services. These services must be paid for by the beneficiary. You can find the list and tariffs for services not included in the Benefits Package, but provided on a paid basis by state medical institutions under TABIB's authority, here.

• If the required medical service is not available at institutions under TABIB or scientific research institutes of the Ministry of Health, you will be referred to a contracted medical facility. With a valid referral letter, you are entitled to receive the necessary services free of charge within the scope of the Benefits Package. Please note that the referral is valid for 10 working days.
• In case of emergency or urgent medical care, you can directly visit the nearest private medical institution. The State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance will cover the cost of services provided within the scope of the Benefits Package, based on established tariffs.
• If you apply directly to the Educational-Therapeutic or Educational-Surgical Clinics of Azerbaijan Medical University, or to Baku Health Center, the cost of inpatient therapeutic and surgical treatment within the Benefits Package will be covered by Mandatory Health Insurance—even without a referral. However, you must present examination results confirming the medical necessity for inpatient care.
• If you visit a contracted medical facility without a valid referral letter, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the medical services yourself.

You can choose the medical facility you are referred to in one of three ways:

1. Through the e-Tabib mobile application: Once the referral form submitted by the state medical institution is approved by the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance, an SMS notification will be sent to the patient's mobile phone. After receiving the SMS, go to the "Referrals" section in the "e-Tabib" mobile application, select a medical facility from the list of contracted institutions, and click the "Confirm" button to complete your selection.
2. By scanning the QR code: After receiving the SMS, scan the QR code on the referral form provided by the state medical institution. This will direct you to the list of contracted medical institutions where you can receive services under the referral. It is important to contact your chosen medical facility in advance to confirm the availability of the required medical service.
3. Through the Agency's website: After receiving the SMS, you can select a contracted medical institution from the list available on the Agency's website to receive medical services under the referral. It is important to contact your chosen medical facility in advance to confirm the availability of the required medical service.

If the referral form submitted by a state medical institution is not approved by the Agency, an SMS notification will be sent to the citizen explaining the reason for the rejection.

If you have any questions about referrals, you can contact the Agency’s "1542" Call Center for assistance.

Video tutorial 

The identity card and the referral letter must be presented to the front desk of referral  healthcare facility. The referral letter is valid for 10 days. 

A referral is issued when the medical institution you initially visit cannot provide the necessary services—such as specialized examinations, additional diagnostic tests, or inpatient care. In these cases, you will be referred to another medical facility (state or contracted) that can deliver the required services.

The emergency medical service delivered by public healthcare facilities is available and free of charge for everyone. Calls for emergency medical assistance should be made only in emergency and urgent cases.

Emergency medical service is not sent in the following cases:

• Administration of a scheduled treatment by an emergency medical service or conducting a scheduled medical screening (electrocardiogram)
• Scheduled treatment and procedures (injections, intravenous infusions, applying bandages) or issuance of a medical certificate by a field doctor / family physician
• Providing dental care
• Transfer and transportation of the patients at their own request from one healthcare facility to another by ambulance
• Transportation of the patients to home and other locations after medical service is rendered at healthcare facility
• Transportation of deceased person
• Providing medical assistance to pets

Family physician is a specialist who specializes in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of adults’ and children’s diseases.  If an insured has any medical issue, he first and foremost should see the family physician. Family physicians may provide treatment or based on medical prescriptions send the patient for instrumental or laboratory testing, and if necessary, to refer him to health-specialists for treatment.

To register with a Family Doctor you must visit a public medical facility (Polyclinic/Family Health Center/ village physician station) providing primary healthcare services at the place of residence. Presenting an identity card and registration document according to the place of residence is required at the front desk of the medical facility. A Family Doctor is chosen based on submitted application. The application form for persons under the age of 18 years must be filled by their legal representatives.

In accordance with the Law “On Medical Insurance”, an insured person has the right to choose a medical institution as well as a physician (taking into account the provisions of Articles 15-3.1 and 15-28 of the Law).
A citizen is free to choose a family physician, as well as physicians working in medical institutions based on a referral issued within the framework of compulsory medical insurance.

Everyone except physical persons working under a contract of employment, military servicemen (except military servicemen on fixed-term military service), persons appointed by Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan or by the body (institution) determined by the relevant executive body, persons elected to paid office, physical persons registered as taxpayers, physical persons implementing works (services) under civil-law contracts are exempted from payment of mandatory health insurance premiums. Their insurance premiums are paid from the state budget.

The mandatory health insurance premiums will be deducted at the rate of 2% from a part of the monthly wages fund amounting up to 8000 manats and at the rate of 0.5% from a part of the monthly wages fund exceeding 8000 manats of the employers and employees working for public and oil sectors.

Employers and employees in the state, oil, non-state, and non-oil sectors are required to contribute 2% of the monthly calculated salary up to 8,000 AZN, and 0.5% on the portion exceeding 8,000 AZN.

According to article 15-1 of the Law “On the Medical Insurance”, one of the main principles of mandatory health insurance is the mandatory payment of insurance premiums by the insured. Legal entities and individuals found guilty of violating the law are held accountable in the cases referred to the Civil, Administrative Offenses and Criminal Codes of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The mandatory health insurance premium will be deducted  at the rate of 2% from a part of the  monthly income amounting up to 8000 manats (including 8000 manats) and at the rate of 1% from a part of the monthly income exceeding 8000 manats of the physical persons implementing works (services) under civil-law contracts. 

Physical persons registered as taxpayers are required to pay 4% of monthly minimum wage (currently the monthly minimum wage in the country is 400 manats, therefore the monthly premium  for mandatory health insurance makes up 16 manats). This amount is calculated on a monthly basis and fully paid no later than the 15th of the month,  following the reporting month. Pursuant to the Tax Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan physical persons  (individual entrepreneurs) registered as taxpayers temporarily suspending entrepreneurial or other taxable operations are not required to pay premiums for mandatory health insurance.

Mandatory health insurance premiums are deducted from the income of foreigners based on whether the income is derived from an Azerbaijani source. Foreigners receiving official income from the Republic of Azerbaijan are subject to mandatory health Insurance premiums.