Mandatory health insurance contribution up
The mandatory monthly health insurance contribution paid by practically all individuals will increase from EUR 35 to EUR 37.17, with the Slovenian Health Ministry planning to publish a relevant regulation in the Official Gazette by the end of February, CE Report quotes STA.
What used to be a voluntary health insurance, but is in fact required for most of the public health services, was transformed into a mandatory contribution as of 2024.
Under health insurance legislation, it is adjusted every 1 March to growth in the country's average gross pay in the previous year, based on Statistics Office data.
In a statement for the STA, the ministry stressed on Monday that it does not set the amount of the contribution itself, it merely carries out the formalities.
The ministry is now drafting the regulation on a higher contribution, which will be published in the Official Gazette by the end of the month at the latest.
The top-up health insurance contribution was transformed into a mandatory one after the three health insurance companies providing it announced a 30%-plus increase in the autumn 2023, arguing it was much too low to cover all the costs.
The government stepped in to prevent such a huge increase, first capping the premium at EUR 35.67 and later transforming it into a mandatory contribution.
The government at the same time pledged to peg it to one's income, but for the time being it remains the same for all regardless of one's financial situation.
A study the ministry commissioned has come up with 15 different solidarity-based scenarios, but last December Minister Valentina Prevolnik Rupel told the STA that the various proposals were still being examined to see which one would be the most suitable. "It may also make sense to wait for the tax reform, which is already underway."
This is not the only mandatory health contribution paid in Slovenia. Another mandatory health insurance contribution is paid monthly as a percentage of one's wages by employers and employees.
