Samvel Kharazyan, Acting Director General of the Universal Health Insurance Foundation, discussed the need for the introduction of the Universal Health Insurance (UHI) system, its initial results, and upcoming steps in an interview with Banks.am.
According to Kharazyan, Armenia had operated for many years under a social healthcare financing model, in which access to medical services largely depended on an individual's social status. As a result, only around 30–40% of the population benefited from a limited package of guaranteed medical care, often leading to a significant financial burden associated with healthcare expenditures. He noted that direct out-of-pocket payments by citizens previously accounted for approximately 80% of total healthcare spending, causing many people to postpone seeking medical attention and later face more serious health complications. According to Kharazyan, one of the primary goals of the Universal Health Insurance system is to overcome these barriers and change citizens’ healthcare-seeking behavior.
Speaking about the first months following the system’s launch, he noted that there had initially been an increase in healthcare utilization due to long-unaddressed health issues, which has now become manageable. According to him, this process has been supported by the development of healthcare infrastructure, modernization of regional medical centers, and broader involvement of both public and private healthcare institutions.
Kharazyan emphasized that one of the key indicators from the first months of the UHI system is that one in every three insured individuals has already used a service or medication provided within the system. According to the statistics, the most active users are mainly citizens aged 65 and above. Among the most frequently used services are eye surgeries, cardiac stenting procedures, various diagnostic examinations, and treatments. In recent months, the volume of pharmaceutical coverage and diagnostic services has increased, while the scope of chemotherapy services has also expanded. The UHI package additionally includes immunotherapy medications and radiation therapy services delivered through modern medical equipment.
Addressing future plans, Kharazyan stressed the importance of screening examinations, noting that the early detection of diseases is crucial both for protecting citizens’ health and for improving the cost-effectiveness of the system.
"Health should be taken care of while you are still healthy," Kharazyan stated.