Changes in the health insurance system of Kazakhstan

The Minister of Health of Kazakhstan commented on the changes in the health insurance system, specifying which diseases can be transferred from the state compulsory medical care (SCMC) to the compulsory social health insurance (CSHI). On the sidelines of the Majilis, the head of the department noted that the list of diseases is still being discussed and requires amendments to the legislation. She promised to provide additional information as soon as the list is finally approved.

The main objective of the new approach is to ensure that all citizens have access to medical care. The second important aspect is to involve the population in the health insurance system so that each person has certain obligations towards their health. During the analysis by age groups, it was found that some diseases also affect children under 18, who, as is known, are fully insured by the state. These categories of citizens will be gradually transferred to the CSHI package. At the same time, all socially significant diseases will remain within the framework of the SCMC.

The Minister also announced the transfer of oncological screenings to the new package. She emphasized that this issue has support from both the Republican Budget Commission and the Parliament. An additional 22 billion tenge will be allocated for these purposes so that cancer screening services become available to those who do not have insurance.

To date, according to the Minister, 87% of citizens are already insured, of which more than 70% receive protection at the expense of the state. The insured include children, pensioners, large families, people with disabilities, registered unemployed, military personnel and students.

The Minister also clarified that at the moment there are no plans to increase contributions to the compulsory medical insurance. She added that the Ministry of Health has raised the issue of increasing the upper limit of contributions for those whose income exceeds 850 thousand tenge. This measure may affect about 570 thousand people, which is approximately 1% of the country's population.