The core health insurance program will cover consultations with clinical psychologists, according to the government plan for 2024 to 2026 as reported by Vedomosti. This coverage marks a significant step in expanding access to mental health care within the publicly funded system and aligns with broader efforts to integrate psychological support into standard medical services across the country. In practice, access to psychologist consultations will be offered to patients who are under dispensary observation for chronic conditions and other health concerns. Examples of eligible conditions include chronic viral hepatitis B and C, HIV, heart failure, Crohn’s disease, and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, among other diagnoses. Eligible groups also include combat veterans and women during pregnancy as well as the postpartum period. This framework ensures that psychological support becomes a routine component of ongoing care for those managing long term health challenges as well as for women navigating pregnancy and early motherhood.
Before the current plan was put in place, Moscow authorities piloted a program to provide psychological assistance to cancer patients and their families in 2022, and this pilot remains active. The experience from that initiative helped shape the broader policy by demonstrating how access to mental health services can be integrated into cancer care and family support. As a result, the new program seeks to scale those gains to a wider patient population while maintaining a focus on both clinical outcomes and emotional well-being.
In addition to these formal services, there has been ongoing discussion about how to identify when a teen or adolescent would benefit from psychological or psychiatric support. While expert opinions vary, clinicians emphasize early recognition of signs such as persistent mood changes, social withdrawal, or noticeable changes in behavior, which can prompt timely referrals to appropriate mental health professionals. This proactive approach complements medical treatment by addressing the emotional and social dimensions that influence overall health during adolescence.