Healthcare in Slovakia

Healthcare in Slovakia has features of the Bismarck, the Beveridge and the national health insurance systems. Its public health system is paid largely from taxation. The cost of national health insurance is shared between the employees and the employers. Part of the taxes is paid by employees as a deduction from their wages and the remaining part is paid as a compulsory contribution by employers. Sole traders pay the full amount of the taxes.  

The taxes are managed by health insurance companies. The healthcare system has three health insurance companies: Union (12,4%), Dôvera (32,4%) and Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa (55,2%)(market share). Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa is a state-run insurance company, and the other two are private. The insurance companies have contracts with outpatient clinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, pharmacies etc. However, insurance companies do not cover all costs such as smme medicines. Also, dental treatment is not covered.

The government pays health insurance for children, students, pensioners, invalids, those performing activities for churches, religious or charitable communities etc.

According to the new legislation from 1.1.2024, the employees contribute 4% (at least 10,75 EUR), and employers contribute 11% (at least 29,57). In the case of invalidity, the contribution is reduced by half.  

Medical procedures are assigned an artificial value of pointsm which is converted to real monetary value by health insurance companies. General practitioners get a capitation payment for each registered patient. There are reimbursement limits, which can be exceeded in respect of individual patients by negotiation.

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