Hi folks it surely must have been answered at one time or another but I cant seem to find anything specific. Do you have to be self employed or working to contribute to the healthcare system NOI.? If you are early retired in UK or on a war pension such as myself can I pay the monthly fee or do I have to go the expensive private health insurance route?

Have a look here it maybe of help?

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Here is something I have just found that could help you decided what you need to do

Residents

If you plan to take up residence in Bulgaria and will be contributing to Bulgarian social security (called ‘NOI’) – e.g. if you will be working in Bulgaria – you and your family will be entitled to free or subsidised medical and dental treatment from the Bulgarian state system.

Once you have a residence permit you will pay contributions through the NOI to the Bulgarian state health system, currently around 15 lev per month. This entitles you to free treatment from a GP, free referrals to a specialist, and medicines at reduced prices or free.

SURVIVAL TIP
It’s recommended that you take out private health insurance while in Bulgaria, even if you’re a resident, as the standard of private health care tends to be much higher than that of the state system. You should also check your entitlements under the Bulgarian state health scheme and when such cover might become effective.

Residents who don’t contribute to social security (e.g. retirees) and aren’t covered by a reciprocal agreement should take out a private international health insurance policy.

SURVIVAL TIP
If you’re planning to take up residence in Bulgaria, you should ensure that you and your family have full health insurance during the interval between leaving your last country of residence and obtaining health insurance in Bulgaria.

One way to insure yourself for this interim period is to take out a holiday/travel insurance policy. If you already have private health insurance, it’s better to extend your present health insurance policy to provide international cover (which is usually possible) than to take out a new policy. This is particularly important if you have an existing health problem that won’t be covered by a new policy.

If you are coming to Bulgaria to retire, you would need to be sure that health facilities are nearby and available. You would need to take out private medical insurance but this would not be very expensive - around £200 a year - as medical fees are very low and of first class quality. I don't think as a retiree you will be able to contribute to the system in the way you ask

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] has retired here so she maybe able to help?

Thanks for the replies so far, we are both young retirees I'm 54 and my partner is 45 I would go self employed if I had to but don't really want to. My question is mainly for my partners benefit as she is type 1 diabetic and insulin dependant, her concern is that she wdnt be able to readily access insulin ( NOVORAPID and LANTUS) in particular.

Novorapid is available. We live there with diabetic friend. You could buy it at 15leva for one cartridge. ... but they do also have alternatives now, not sure what they are called though but the service over here is far better and cheaper than in the UK

as per the Info I put up here ...after searching for it

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]