VIDEO: Those Earning Up to 200,000 Drams to Be Included in the Health Insurance System

The government is discussing the potential inclusion of individuals earning up to 200,000 drams in the comprehensive health insurance system starting from January 1, 2027. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan clarified that a special approach is being developed for this segment, considering the risks of shadow circulation.

Speaking about the objectives, the Prime Minister stated: "In the low wage segment, we believe and know that a certain shadow scheme exists, and it is the government’s task to address the social issue without encouraging the shadow economy. That is why we are having such discussions." According to the proposed scenario, in 2027, the distribution of the insurance payment will be as follows: "What we have in mind is that during 2027, the government may subsidize 4,400 drams of the necessary 10,800 dram expense, employees will pay 2,000 drams—those 2,000 drams that were previously paid to the 'Zinapah' fund—and the remaining 4,400 drams will be paid by employers," said Nikol Pashinyan.

The Prime Minister added that starting from 2028, the model will change to be linked with universal declaration: "From January 1, 2028, we may launch the following scenario where the employee pays 6,000 drams of the 10,800 dram expense, which they will receive back as a social credit upon filling out the universal declaration. This means that essentially, not much will change in a citizen's life. The remaining 4,800 drams will continue to be paid by the employer."

Nikol Pashinyan also urged employers to reconsider their decisions and pay as many employees as possible salaries above 200,000 drams so they can be included in the overall system. Addressing the quality of services provided, he emphasized: "For the quality of the services provided to be adequate, the system must be financially healthy because quality is a cost. We have set ourselves the goal that by January 1, 2029, all segments of the population should be included in the system."

The government plans to make a final decision regarding the full implementation of the system within the next month or two.