Health Ministry Launches New Criteria in Universal Healthcare Program

TBILISI – New criteria have been launched within the state-led Universal Healthcare Program, including new differentiated packages for program beneficiaries. Davit Sergeenko, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs, announced this news at a special briefing on Monday.

The minister said that around 32,000 high-income citizens, whose annual income exceeds 40,000 GEL, will no longer be included in the state-led healthcare program. “Those citizens whose monthly income is more than 1,000 GEL but whose annual income does not exceed 40,000 GEL have the opportunity to choose the universal health care program or private insurance packages,” Sergeenko explained. The minister added that low-income citizens whose monthly income is less than 1000 GEL will be able to use the services of the Universal Program, but with limited conditions.

Children under five, pensioners, students, teachers, persons with disabilities and socially vulnerable people will enjoy new benefits, like access to free ambulatory medicines and the use of the State Universal Program and private insurance at the same time, a benefit not available to other groups.

The state will fund childbirth, Hepatitis C, tuberculosis, and diabetes management program costs. Free medicines will be available only for the most vulnerable and needy, who will receive medicines for a symbolic price of 1 GEL monthly. “We expect that the real beneficiaries, those eligible for free medicines, will number around 150-200 thousand people,” Sergeenko said. The minister noted that all free medicines will be of European standard with Accredited Quality Control lab certificates.

The Universal Healthcare Program was launched in February 2013 in order to serve all non-insured individuals living in Georgia. 


Thea Morrison