Estonia to Revise Health Funding Model and Expand Preventive Care
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund plans 2026 reforms to make health funding fairer and more efficient, linking family doctor payments to patient illness and regional needs. It will cut lab budgets, expand preventive screenings and mental health coverage, and add new...
Healthcare and social welfare systems to merge under new plans in Estonia
Estonia plans to merge health and social care systems for better coordination, but interest groups fear rushed reforms could disrupt services, especially for vulnerable groups. Critics warn unclear funding and added bureaucracy may reduce access and strain providers....
Leaving agency head proposes ways to exit Estonia’s healthcare funding crisis
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund faces a deepening crisis as reserves run out by 2027. Outgoing chief Rain Laane warns efficiency measures can’t close deficits, urging greater state investment. A four-year plan targets stronger primary care, funding reform, and better...
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund running a deficit for at least 15 years
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund faces a deficit, rising healthcare costs, and criticism after lavish spending exposed governance gaps. Experts and officials urge reforms to improve efficiency, avoid worsening inequalities, and ensure sustainable financing without...
Strengthening Health Insurance Collaboration Between Estonia and Uzbekistan
The State Health Insurance Fund of Uzbekistan (SHIF) and the Estonian Health Insurance Fund (EHIF) held an online meeting to discuss Estonia’s successful health insurance system and explore opportunities for collaboration. On 28 February, the State Health Insurance...
Discussion of sustainable health financing in Estonia by the board member of its Health Insurance Fund
Long-term economic forecasts by the Ministry of Finance suggest the revenues of the Health Insurance Fund of Estonia will grow by about 3.2% per year, but the expenses will have to increase by 5% per year in 2023–2040 to sustain the current level of access to care....
The projected lower social tax collection will significantly reduce the 2025 budget of the Health Fund
The Health Fund projects a €210M deficit for 2025, with €21M in planned savings. Covering the remaining €188.9M requires additional state funding or reserve use, which needs a legislative amendment. The final budget proposal will be submitted to the Riigikogu by the...
With the therapy fund reform, the patient’s deductible is canceled
As of July 1, 2024, Estonia's Health Fund (Tervisekassa) fully manages the Therapy Fund, removing patient co-payments and providing a clear list of covered service providers. Family doctors can refer patients to clinical psychologists, speech therapists, and...
Results of the 2023 audit by the Health Insurance Fund: almost 700,000 euros claimed back
The Health Insurance Fund recovered nearly 700,000 euros from healthcare providers last year through continuous monitoring of health insurance claims. "This control has improved partners' awareness when billing for treatment, reducing unjustified claims," said Jelena...
The list of medicines financed by the Health Insurance Fund expanded from April 1, 2024
Starting April 1, the Health Insurance Fund will expand its list of covered medicines to include several essential treatments for rare conditions. These include medicines for aggressive skin lymphoma, inoperable benign tumors, and chemotherapy for advanced bladder...
37 new medical devices added to benefits and the Insurance Fund will pay for medical equipment worth 21.2 millon euros
In 2024, Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund will reimburse 21.2 million euros for medical equipment, with 37 new devices added, including compression products for post-breast surgery. Since 2023, the benefits package is updated twice a year to ensure quicker access to...
Dental care for Estonians became more accessible in 2024 with increased benefits and lowered deductibles
In 2024, the Estonian Health Fund will allocate over 103 million euros to dental care, the largest investment in oral health. Benefits for vulnerable groups (pregnant women, mothers of young children, pensioners) will increase from 85 to 105 euros, with deductibles...
The Health Insurance Fund improved Estonians’ access to family doctors through digital platforms and increased funding for services
In 2024, the Health Insurance Fund will finance family doctor digital platforms to ensure all Estonians can contact family doctor centers online. The Fund will set requirements, assess compliance, and fund approved platforms. Family doctors can choose a suitable...
Ever-growing health expenditure and mandatory social health insurance: what’s next? – Part 3 of a 3-part series
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Ever-growing health expenditure and mandatory social health insurance: what’s next? – Part 2 of a 3-part series
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