A separate tariff for medical examination of working Russians will be included in the program of compulsory medical insurance (CHI) from 2024. stated Deputy Prime Minister of the country Tatyana Golikova at the opening of the National Congress “National Health Services – 2023” with international participation.
“In order to bring medical care closer to working citizens, starting from next year we will introduce dispensary observation of working people with a separate tariff of the compulsory health insurance system,” he explained.
The deputy head of government announced that the measure would allow Russians to undergo medical examination at work. Events may be organized by the employer’s medical department or a contracted medical organization.
Additionally, Golikova said that compulsory health insurance will include a separate tariff for medical examinations to monitor male and female reproductive health.
“To be examined or not to be examined is a human right.”
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection Alexey Kurinny in a conversation with socialbites.ca expressed his hopeThat Russians will not be “bumped” and will be given the right to decide for themselves whether they want to take the exam or not. According to the MP, the “power model” does not justify him in this regard.
In his opinion, the effect of the measure proposed by Golikova will come from working together with employers, through a good explanatory campaign, and not through “arm-twisting” or other coercive methods, especially in such a sensitive area as reproductive health.
“In any case, it is a person’s right to be examined or not to be examined. It is not such an obligation. Except for some professions that require appropriate authorization based on health status. “I think this will be brought out in the right framework and will be presented to everyone who wants it as the opportunity and right to have an annual health examination, not every three years as in some places.”
The MP also noted that when it comes to adding compulsory vaccinations to the workplace medical examination program, consent must be a voluntary decision of the citizen.
Opportunity, not obligation
Golikova’s press service explained that we are not talking about mandatory medical examinations for working Russians. The innovation will give citizens the opportunity to carry out dispensary observation both at the workplace and, by agreement with the employer, at the nearest medical institution.
The press service of the Ministry of Health of Russia also reportedHe said the medical examination would be optional.
“Like any type of medical care, medical examination of the working population will be voluntary, with the voluntary informed consent of the patient,” the ministry assured.
They emphasized that the purpose of the proposed measure is to take care of the health of workers and create additional conditions for taking preventive measures.
Medical examination according to compulsory health insurance
The medical examination program in Russia started in 2013. The practice takes place within the framework of the compulsory health insurance system – Russians can undergo free examination within the scope of the compulsory health insurance policy. This can be done at the clinic to which citizens are assigned at their place of residence.
Free health examinations are carried out every three years for citizens under the age of 40, and once a year for citizens over this age. An annual medical examination is also required for citizens of the preferential category.
From 2024, for the first time, preventive measures will include screening for hepatitis C antibodies. All Russians over the age of 25 will be able to undergo free screening every 10 years.
On November 27, Russian First Deputy Minister of Health Vladimir Zelensky said that the domestic compulsory health insurance system will face an increasing burden in the next 10 years due to the aging population. In addition, the expansion of clinical examination and preventive examinations of the population makes it possible to detect a larger number of diseases.