The volume of paid medical services in the Russian Federation rose by 34 percent over the year, according to reporting from Kommersant. The rise signals a notable shift in patient behavior and market dynamics, reflecting how households allocate resources toward health care amid changing prices and access considerations. In this context, the market is not just growing in size but also in the breadth of services that patients choose to pay for out of pocket or through private coverage.
On average, the bill for these paid services stands at 3.5 thousand rubles, marking a 10 percent increase from the previous year. This growth rate suggests a combination of price adjustments by providers and a higher utilization of more costly procedures or tests. In dentistry, the trend is even more pronounced: the average check reaches 8.3 thousand rubles, climbing 13 percent versus 2022. The dental segment shows stronger price momentum, likely tied to a mix of preventive care, diagnostics, and elective procedures that patients deem worth paying for beyond free public offerings.
Overall, the industry reports a 14 percent rise in purchases alongside a 28 percent surge in sales. This pattern points to expanding activity in the private health sector, where both the demand for services and the willingness to pay are growing—potentially driven by improved service availability, perceived quality differences, and the broader financial environment for private health care.
Experts note a 9 percent increase in financial support for public health care institutions during the year, which has enhanced access to free health services. This shift suggests policymakers are balancing market expansion with public provision, aiming to preserve broad access while sustaining incentives for private providers. The interaction between publicly funded care and paid private services appears to be evolving, with more patients navigating between free options and paid care to meet their health needs.
Among paid offerings, the most common services are laboratory tests, general practitioner consultations, and diagnostic examinations. In dentistry, the popular paid services include fillings, anesthesia, and dental photography. These findings illustrate which categories are driving growth in the paid segment and where consumer demand is most elastic, helping providers allocate resources and plan service lines accordingly.
On the policy side, the State Duma advanced a bill aimed at decriminalizing certain medical activities, a development watched closely by industry stakeholders for how it might affect professional practice, liability, and the overall regulatory environment. This legislative move reflects ongoing efforts to clarify the legal framework governing medical services and to reduce barriers to legitimate medical activity, which could, in turn, influence both provider behavior and patient confidence.
Looking at public perception, surveys indicate that trust in medical blogs remains limited, with only a small share of Russians expressing confidence in online medical information. This underscores the continuing importance of credible, clinically grounded sources and official guidance for patient decision-making, especially as the market for paid services expands and more individuals consider their options beyond standard public care.
In summary, the Russian paid medical services market is expanding in volume and price, with dentistry showing stronger price growth and activity. Public funding is increasing access to free care, while private providers experience growing demand across a range of preventive and diagnostic services. The evolving regulatory and public-information landscape will likely shape how this market develops in the coming years, influencing both provider strategies and patient choices across the country.