Armenian parliament adopts health insurance law

PanARMENIAN.Net - At its December 17 session, Armenia’s National Assembly passed the legislative package “On Universal Health Insurance” in its second and final reading. Sixty-four MPs voted in favor, two voted against, and five abstained.

According to the Ministry of Health, the system will be launched on January 1, 2026.

In the first phase, the insurance will cover the following groups: children under 18, individuals aged 65 and older, persons with disabilities in groups 1–3, individuals with functional limitations, socially vulnerable citizens, those registered in the social support system, families of fallen servicemen, and employees earning 200,001 drams or more.

All citizens will receive the same insurance package, while the annual premium will be 129,600 drams.

In 2026, the government will fully cover the insurance fee for children under 18, seniors 65+, persons with disabilities or functional limitations, socially vulnerable individuals, and families of fallen servicemen.

For those earning between 200,001 and 500,000 drams, the state will subsidize most of the premium. Specifically:

• From the 5,500 drams currently contributed to the Zinapah foundation, 4,500 drams will be redirected to health insurance.
• The remainder will be covered via social credit refunds.
• The final out-of-pocket cost will be just 300 drams.

For those earning between 500,001 and 1 million drams:

• From the current 8,500-dram contribution to Zinapah, 7,500 drams will be redirected.
• Citizens will pay 3,300 drams, refundable later through the personal income tax return system.

Social package beneficiaries earning over 200,001 drams will also be included in the first phase and receive the same reimbursement format. They may also use their monthly social package amount of 6,000 drams to cover any remaining insurance costs.

Beneficiaries with salaries below 200,000 drams will continue receiving healthcare under the existing program.

The insurance package will include detailed lists of covered diseases, diagnostics, screenings, and medications, which will be available on the Armed mobile app, as well as the Health Ministry and Insurance Foundation websites.

Non-emergency medical services will begin at the primary healthcare level (PHC).

In three years, all citizens and residents of Armenia are expected to have health insurance. The program aims to cover everyone, though not all medical services will be included.