Salary drop won’t end health insurance for 12 months

PanARMENIAN.Net - If a citizen enters the health insurance system by earning a salary exceeding 200,000 drams, they remain covered for 12 months, regardless of subsequent salary changes. This was stated by Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan during a parliamentary discussion on the implementation of the system.

She was responding to lawmakers’ concerns about whether, for example, a teacher would lose coverage if their workload—and thus salary—was reduced.

“Once a person enters the insurance system, they remain in it for 12 months. System stability must be ensured. People cannot enter and exit each month. That would result in highly unpredictable expenses. So, if a person earns more than 200,000 drams in one month and enters the system, their future salary fluctuations are not considered—they stay in the insurance system,” Avanesyan explained.

Head of the Civil Contract parliamentary faction Hayk Konjoryan described this reform as one of the government and parliamentary majority’s most significant initiatives, according to 1lurer.am .

Citing data shared by the Prime Minister, he noted that 50,073 pensioners over the age of 65 have already received nearly 4.3 billion drams’ worth of medical assistance funded by the state.

According to the data:

• 57 pensioners received up to 4 million drams in aid,
• 158 received between 2 and 4 million drams,
• 802 received between 1 and 2 million drams.

Konjoryan called these figures unprecedented and indicative of the state’s proactive role in not leaving citizens to face health issues alone.

He emphasized that the new system clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the government’s social policy.

Under current regulations, the universal health insurance system took effect on January 1, 2026. In its initial phase, it covers individuals under 18, those aged 65 and over, people earning more than 200,000 drams per month, persons with disabilities, recipients of social assistance, and families of fallen servicemen. These groups include approximately 1.5 million beneficiaries.