Health Systems in Transition - Hungary - World Health Organization ...

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Health systems in transition Hungary
3.3 Overview of the statutory financing system
3.3.1 Coverage
Breadth of coverage
In accordance with the constitution (1989/4), Act CLIV of 1997 on Health
Care (1997/20) stipulates that every individual has the right to life-saving or
preventive health care to avoid serious or permanent damage to his or her health,
as well as to relieve any pain or suffering caused by sickness. Furthermore,
every individual has a right to health services that are appropriate, continually
accessible, equitable and regulated in a properly defined legal framework
(1997/20) according to health status. However, Hungarian citizens and
residents are not covered for health care treatment by subjective right, except
for emergency or life-saving measures.
Currently, Act LXXX of 1997 on Those Entitled to the Services of Social
Insurance and Private Pensions and on the Funding of These Services sets out
the rules for participating in the health insurance system and defines entitlement
to in-kind and cash benefits. Participation in the system is compulsory for all
citizens living in Hungary (that is, people with a personal identification card);
opting out is not permitted. As a general rule, Hungarian minorities living
in neighbouring countries are not entitled to health services in Hungary, but
this does not mean that they were denied access to care in the past. Since
2007, a special commission of the Ministry of National Resources evaluates
applications by Hungarian minorities living abroad and defines the package of
health services they are entitled to.
The population in Hungary is divided into three main groups: (1) insured
individuals who are entitled to all services covered by the NHIFA and who pay
regular contributions based on their income, (2) individuals who are entitled
to medical services but are not required to pay contributions, and (3) all other
inhabitants with a personal identification card and permanent residence, who
are obliged to pay a medical service fee (that is, a fixed-amount insurance
premium) on a monthly basis (1997/8). Foreigners who work in Hungary for a
longer period are not obliged to participate but may do so if they wish.
According to the provision of the legal framework, Hungary should have
100% coverage, but the report of the NHIFA to the National Assembly in 2009
shows that the health insurance status of approximately 4% of the population
is unclear (Ministry of Health, 2009a). Health services are provided on the
basis of a social insurance identification number (Társadalombiztosítási