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08-03-2021

The budget of the CHIF has recovered EUR 2.5 million

Iliustracija

Last year 2.5 million euros were returned to the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) — 77 thousand euros more than in 2019. This damage is caused by a variety of illegal activities such as crimes or misdemeanours against human life, health, public policy, road safety, unlawful use of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). In all these cases, victims covered by compulsory health insurance (CHI) were treated with CHIF funds.

Under current arrangements, the territorial health insurance funds (THIF) are responsible for recovery of damages. Victims and treated persons are reported to THIF by police commissariats, prosecutors' offices, and bailiffs help to recover the money spent on victim treatment and return them to the CHIF.

According to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), a total of 10 thousand cases where natural persons have caused damage to CHIF were recorded last year. It is almost 2 thousand more than in 2019.

Most cases of damages were found in Vilnius territorial health insurance fund (THIF) area - 3155, second place was Kaunas THIF - 2299 cases. Slightly fewer cases were recorded in Klaipeda THIF - 2281, Siauliai THIF - 1264, and the lowest - in Panevezys operating area - 961 cases. Statistics show that the largest amounts in favour of the CHIF budget were recovered during criminal proceedings. For example, last year Vilnius THIF alone has filed 1034 lawsuits in criminal cases.

According to Tomas Ragauskas, Head of the Legal Division of NHIF, over the past few years, a similar amount is recovered to the CHIF — about half a million euros. "The size is determined by various factors. For example, the number of car accidents or crimes, the attentiveness and awareness of the people themselves while using the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the like.  On the other hand, it can be assumed that with the increase in costs of treatment services the amount of damage to be recovered will also increase", — says T. Ragauskas. According to the Head of the Legal Division, the amounts refunded are sufficiently significant for the CHIF. „For example, EUR 2.5 million per year is allocated to primary health care centres of Telsiai district, Salcininkai, Varena“, — says T. Ragauskas.

NHIF points out that the extent of the damage depends on the amount of treatment services that were paid for by the CHIF and the prices effective at that moment. However, there is always the possibility of voluntary damage compensation. In criminal or civil proceedings, the parties may settle and terminate the proceedings. If reconciliation fails, voluntary compensation of damage is a mitigating circumstance for the offender when appearing in court. Upon notification of compensation of such damages, you have the choice of either transferring the entire amount at once or arriving at the THIF and signing a contract for its compensation in instalments. In the case of a contract, the term of compensation (up to 5 years) shall be determined by agreement between the parties, depending on its size or other circumstances.

The Parliament-approved 2021 CHIF budget is 2,5 billion euro.

The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email [email protected] or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222.

Last updated: 26-05-2021

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