Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 31 / Trend, A. Akhundov /
The State Insurance Supervision Service under the Azerbaijani Finance Ministry is examining foreign experience to introduce compulsory health insurance, head of the State Service Namiq Khalilov told Trend on Tuesday.
"The main problem while introducing compulsory health insurance is system administration," he said. "This system is so complex that it will be ineffective in introducing compulsory health insurance without proper training, as this requires many maintenance operations, reforming health care finance and paying for work at medical institutions. Many methodological operations must be conducted in terms of describing various diseases, the cost of services and so on. Moreover, very complicated, complex software is required. That is, much hard work is necessary for that activity to be undertaken together with other state agencies, to be effective after compulsory health insurance is introduced."
He added that examining various models is remote in nature, but visits and meetings are not being ruled out.
"Some countries have experience inviting foreign insurance and reinsurance companies specializing in the field of health insurance; this brings their experience, technologies and visions," he said. "This method greatly reduces the introduction period and risks. For example, a joint venture with the participation of local and foreign companies, managing the whole work very effective has been established in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. There is Turkey's experience, where this system was recently reformed. There are countries which created this system from the very beginning."
He stressed that a decision will be made for the nearest years to start working on creating a compulsory health insurance system in Azerbaijan.
"I think any decisions will be made on this process within the next several years," he said. "Introducing compulsory health insurance is also one of the objectives set forth in the development plan "Azerbaijan 2020: a look into the future". This issue is on the agenda."
The law on "Compulsory Medical Insurance" was adopted in 1999. But it did not work, despite the creation of the Compulsory Health Insurance Agency in 2009.