The period for the exemption from co-payment amounts within the framework of mandatory health insurance in Azerbaijan has been extended for another year.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev has approved the amendment to the Law "On Medical Insurance" to this effect. Under the new regulations, the requirement for insured individuals to pay a co-payment when seeking specialized medical services directly—without a primary healthcare referral—has been deferred.
The amendment stipulates that the relevant provision regarding these payments will now enter into force on January 1, 2027. The co-payment amount refers to the portion of medical costs resulting from an insurance event that is not covered by the mandatory health insurance guarantee and must be paid by the insured person.
This legislative move is part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to ensure the accessibility of healthcare services across the country. Mandatory health insurance was fully implemented throughout the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2021, aiming to provide a sustainable financing mechanism for the healthcare system and reduce the financial burden on citizens. By extending the waiver on co-payments, the government continues to support the transition phase, allowing the population to adapt to the specialized referral system while maintaining high standards of medical care.
