Health insurance in Armenia: chemotherapy covered up to 1.2 million drams a year
- Published
- Place
- Yerevan, Armenia
- Event date
- Past event —
Summary
Chemotherapy drugs are reimbursed up to 1.2 million drams per person per year under universal health insurance, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan reiterated on 3 November before the National Assembly committees examining the 2027 budget. Under the previous state-funded care programme, the cap was only 160,000 drams, or 300,000 drams for people with disabilities. The minister acknowledged that the amount is not enough to cover the full range of cancer treatments. She said it stems from actuarial calculations based on a premium of 10,800 drams a month, or 129,600 drams a year, and that the aim is to widen coverage in the future.
Analysis
The cap has risen more than sevenfold, but it remains below the cost of some treatments, leaving patients to pay the difference themselves. The minister also responded to complaints about drug delays at some centres, saying suppliers needed time to adapt to the new demand but that there were no funding delays. The issue will weigh on the debate over extending the insurance to employees in 2027.
Possible consequences
For insured patients, reimbursement of chemotherapy drugs is limited to 1.2 million drams a year; above that, the cost remains theirs unless coverage is extended.
