YEREVAN, September 24. /ARKA/. Armenia’s universal health insurance system currently covers 1,815,000 beneficiaries, and the volume of reimbursements to medical organizations and pharmacies has exceeded 150 billion drams, said Samvel Kharazyan, Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Armenia.
“About 50% of the insured individuals—approximately 850,000 citizens—have already received services under the system. The Universal Health Insurance Fund has reimbursed the medical organizations and pharmacies where these individuals received services and medications,” Kharazyan said at a government meeting on Thursday.
According to him, the value of services submitted for reimbursement by medical organizations and pharmacies currently exceeds 150 billion drams. All invoices issued to date have been paid.
The Deputy Minister also reported that approximately 350,000–400,000 new beneficiaries are expected to be included in the system starting in 2027.
Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan stated that the total amount of invoices due for payment could reach approximately 200 billion drams by the end of the year.
About the mandatory health insurance system in Armenia
The mandatory health insurance system is being implemented in Armenia starting January 1, 2026, over a three-year period (2026–2028).
Two groups are included in the system starting in 2026. The first group comprises citizens earning between 200,000 and 500,000 drams, while the second includes minors under 18, individuals aged 18–65 with disabilities (Groups I, II, and III), citizens aged 65 and older, and socially vulnerable families with a vulnerability score of 28 or higher. The state covers 100% of the costs for the second group.
In the second stage, starting in 2027, individuals earning up to 200,000 drams will be included in the system, followed in 2028 by the remaining groups, including those employed in agriculture and their family members.
The estimated cost of the health insurance package is 129,600 drams per year, with an option for monthly payments. The package covers the most in-demand medical services, including outpatient care, visits to a family doctor, consultations with specialists, and laboratory tests (up to a specified annual limit). The list of services will be gradually expanded and refined to include specific surgical procedures, such as ophthalmological (cataract), cardiovascular, and other surgeries.
The 2026 Armenian state budget allocates 127 billion drams for the implementation of the mandatory health insurance system.
