Development of voluntary medical insurance in the Russian Federation

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the dynamics of the development of voluntary medical insurance in the Russian Federation. To identify the factors hindering the development of this insurance sector in modern conditions.
 Methods. In the course of the study, analysis was conducted of the legislative framework for organizing medical care for the population of the Russian Federation in the system of voluntary medical insurance. The problem-chronological, systematic, and analytical research methods were used.
 Results. It has been established that, despite the development of voluntary medical insurance system over the past 25 years, the availability of this type of insurance for citizens of the Russian Federation still remains very low. The policy of voluntary medical insurance is mainly available only to working citizens, and only in those large enterprises where the employer is interested in preserving and protecting the health of its employees. For most citizens of the Russian Federation, the voluntary health insurance policy remains inaccessible due to the high cost of the policy, as well as due to relatively low incomes. At the same time, a voluntary health insurance policy is required by law for labor migrants to obtain a patent for employment in the Russian Federation. However due to the absence of legislative framework for voluntary health insurance, organization of medical care for labor migrants is not always standardized.
 Conclusion. For the further development of voluntary medical insurance, it is necessary to develop the measures for decreasing the cost and increasing the availability of a voluntary medical insurance policy for citizens of the Russian Federation; to optimize organization of health care for labor migrants it is necessary to primarily develop regulatory framework of emergency health care.