Armenian premier calls on citizens not to turn healthcare system into  a `Black Friday`

ArmInfo.  The compulsory health insurance (CHI) system, which will begin operating on January 1, 2026, will cover 1,600,000 people in its first phase. Health Minister  Anahit Avanesyan announced this at a government meeting on December  25. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on citizens "not to turn  the healthcare system into a 'Black Friday' and not to attack medical  centers starting January 1," as they "will not flee."

Anahit Avanesyan recalled that in the first phase, that is, in 2026,  the system will include individuals under 18 and over 65, disabled  individuals aged 18 to 65, and members of socially vulnerable  families. The system will also include family members of deceased  military personnel. The state will subsidize insurance premiums for  all these categories of citizens. Insurance premiums for citizens  with a monthly income of over 200,000 drams will be partially  subsidized.

The base cost of an insurance policy in 2026 will be 129,600 drams  (10,800 drams per month). Part of this amount will be reimbursed from  payments to the Zinap Military Insurance Fund. These payments,  increased in 2021, will now return to their previous level of 1,000  drams, regardless of salary. The remaining portion will be reimbursed  to the beneficiary upon filing their annual personal income tax  return.

However, this "preferential treatment" is provided exclusively to  those who are both citizens of the Republic of Armenia and residents  of the country. Foreign citizens who have the right to reside in the  Republic of Armenia (with residence status established by law) will  also be eligible. However, this category of citizens will pay their  compulsory medical insurance premiums themselves. However, the burden  of paying the insurance premium in full will also fall on the  shoulders of individual entrepreneurs registered in the RA and  notaries.

The system will automatically verify people and include  beneficiaries. In this regard, the Minister of Health urged citizens  to download the updated ArMed app, where, after identification, they  will be able to find out whether they are eligible for the system as  early as 2026 and whether they must pay insurance premiums themselves  or whether the state will do so for them. A list of medical care and  medications covered by the insurance will also be available.

Senior citizens who are not accustomed to using mobile devices will  receive SMS notifications.  Furthermore, local physicians will be  tasked with explaining any questions that arise about the new system  and the procedure for receiving medical care.

The insurance payment will be made by the tax agent (employer),  meaning it will be withheld from wages in the same way as income tax,  social security contributions, and other payments. Payments will  begin with the December salary for January insurance. Social package  recipients-public sector employees-will be required to submit an  application to their employer for a partial redistribution of funds:  6,000 drams from their social package will be allocated to compulsory  medical insurance.

A state fund will be created to manage the health insurance system.  It will operate under temporary management for three months, after  which a state selection committee will form its board of directors  (which, as stated in the Concept for the Implementation of Compulsory  Medical Insurance, will be chaired by the Minister of Health).