[size=75:2sfw4qar]novinite 7 January 2010

380 000 Bulgarians May Lose Rights to Free Healthcare

380 000 Bulgarians may lose their rights to free healthcare after changes in the insurance laws, Katya Kashumov, from the National Revenue Agency confirmed Thursday.

According to the new laws people who have not paid their health insurance contributions for a total of three months over the last three years will lose their rights to free health care.

Health insurance payments have jumped from BGN 10,40 to BGN 16,80 per month from the start of 2010 and payments must be made by people who are self-insured before the 10 th of each month.

Self-insured people must also fill in the model 7 declaration by March 1 2010 if they want to continue receiving free health care. If the payments are not made in time patients will have to pay the full amount plus interest to be re-instated into the system.