Minister of Health presents draft law on including employees with salaries under 200,000 drams in health insurance system
YEREVAN, August 21. /ARКА/. Armenian Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan convened with employers to discuss how to integrate employees earning less than 200,000 drams into the health insurance system, as reported by the Ministry of Health press service.
The minister introduced a draft law that details the method for calculating insurance premiums.
Under this draft law, starting in 2027, employees with salaries below 200,000 drams will be obligated to contribute a monthly insurance premium of 2,000 drams, while the state will subsidize an additional 4,400 drams, and employers will cover the remaining 4,400 drams.
"This approach aims to mitigate a sudden increase in the financial burden on individuals earning up to 200,000 drams when they join the insurance system," the statement indicates.
Accountants and financial experts from the attending companies posed numerous questions, comments, and suggestions during the meeting.
The Ministry of Health stated that similar discussions will continue regularly, including online sessions, until the insurance system is fully operational.
Just the day before, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced plans to include the entire Armenian population in the health insurance system by 2029.
The initial phase of the three-year reform of Armenia's compulsory health insurance system commenced in 2026. This phase encompasses individuals whose insurance is funded by the state, including minors under 18, seniors aged 65 and above, individuals aged 18 to 65 with disabilities (I, II, III), and families with 28 or more social deprivation points.
During this first stage, 1.7 million residents of Armenia will benefit from the system, with the state covering 100% of their costs.
In the second phase, beginning in 2027, individuals earning up to 200,000 drams will be incorporated, followed by additional groups, such as those working in agriculture and their families, starting in 2028.
The annual cost of the health insurance package is set at 129,600 drams, payable monthly. This insurance will encompass the most sought-after services, including outpatient care, clinic visits, family doctor consultations, specialist appointments, and a limited number of laboratory tests each year. The range of services will be broadened and fine-tuned to include specific surgical procedures.
The budget for 2026 has allocated 127 billion drams for the rollout of the health insurance system.-0-
