News and Articles related to Bulgaria
Current date: 2010-02-09 11:19

Healthcare contributions will be divvied up in a 50%-50% between employers and employees

Healthcare contributions will be divvied up in a 50:50 ratio between employers and employees as of 2010, according to legislative amendments proposed by ruling party GERB and the Health Ministry that should replace the current 60:40 system.

While workers will shoulder a higher portion of the amount, the government has already fleshed out plans to lower the total social security burden by 2%, the ministry said.

The healthcare contribution will be left intact at 8%, with all if it channeled to medical services. The self-insured will be required to submit monthly declarations with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) that they have paid their healthcare contributions or risk fined ranging between BGN 500 and 1,000. Employers shirking contributions will be slapped fines of BGN 2,000 to 8,000. Self-insured who have skipped payments for more than three months will be punished by BGN 500 to 1,000.

Out-of-hospital doctors will be fined between BGN 500 and 5,000 if they fail to provide 24/7 access to phone consultations. Those reporting sham medical services will face BGN 3,000 to 10,000 in fines. The violations will be established by a future Medical Audit agency, with the collected fines flowing directly into the state budget.

The stringent regulations provoked a storm of criticism from doctors and dentists, with Bulgarian Dental Association (BDA) chairman Nikolay Sharkov warning the hefty fines will force the skilled dentists to walk out on the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). His opinion was echoed by Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) chief Tsvetan Raychinov, who reckons the tough sanctions will force many doctors abroad.