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

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Health systems in transition Hungary
above-standard hotel services, but the outcome of these projects has not been
fully analysed yet. In some cases it can be observed that the business plan is
based on services, where the boundaries between public and private health care
are not clearly defined.
3.5.4 Public Policy
Since 1995, the government has subsidized participation in voluntary health
funds with a 30% tax rebate up to HUF 100 000 (€360.4) per year in 2010
(1995/14). However, the main revenue source of the voluntary health funds
(87% of total revenue in 2009) are the monthly contributions paid by employers
(up to 50% of the minimum wage and subject to tax exemptions for the benefit
of the employee) (1995/14). Obviously, the supportive public policy has had a
significant impact on extending both membership and revenue of voluntary
health funds (Hungarian Financial Supervisory Authority, 2009).
3.6 Other financing
The change of regime opened the way for external and other sources to flow
into the health sector in the form of governmental aid and loan programmes,
voluntary donations and taxpayer donations.
3.6.1 Parallel health systems
Three large ministries have retained their health care facilities and are thus
involved in the provision of care. The origin of these parallel systems dates
back to the first half of the 20th century, when several private and public
insurance funds employed physicians and owned health care institutions. The
Ministry for National Economy, which among its many responsibilities runs
the Hungarian State Railways, has its own comprehensive system of health
service delivery within which railway workers and their dependants are given
priority (1994/3). The number of providers and their capacities, however, were
significantly reduced in 2007 (2007/7). The Ministry of Defence has its own
inpatient and outpatient services, which are open to the general public, although
special rules give priority to its employees. According to the general principles
applied in health care financing, both ministries cover the capital costs of
services, whereas recurrent costs are financed through the HIF. The Ministry
of Public Administration and Justice provides health services to prisoners; this
is entirely separate from the main system of provision.