In 2022, a notable shift appeared in the health insurance landscape. The number of people covered by VHI declined by five million, a figure reported by the Central Bank through coverage in a major financial publication. This downward move occurred even as the overall market saw a rise in premium income, climbing by 6.9 percent to 213.7 billion rubles. The uplift in premium revenue reflected higher costs for medical services and medications, a dynamic the Central Bank highlighted in its supply data. [Source: Central Bank]
Across the market, the largest insurers did not experience a drop in the share of insured individuals, yet they did acknowledge a broader market trend toward fewer people holding VHI policies. Industry insiders point to several factors driving this pattern for households that rely on private health coverage. One analyst noted that the shift was largely connected to the withdrawal of foreign companies from the Russian market, companies that previously considered VHI a standard component of the social package for employees. This exodus altered the competitive landscape and the composition of insured pools. [Source: Central Bank; Industry Reports]
Another perspective came from a leader in the private medical services sector. A co-founder of a prominent medical platform explained that the decline in travel policies for international trips also contributed to the observed changes. Stricter travel restrictions and rising airfare and accommodation costs reduced demand for outbound health coverage, which in turn affected overall enrollment figures in private plans. [Source: Industry Reports]
Earlier data also suggested that policies covering serious illnesses tended to be more frequently issued to adults in the 30 to 45 age bracket. This age group has traditionally shown a higher propensity to secure comprehensive private health protection, balancing concerns about medical costs with workplace benefits and personal risk assessment. [Source: Market Data]
From a broader perspective, the year 2022 highlighted how policy design, regulatory shifts, and macroeconomic factors shape private health insurance uptake in large economies. In Canada and the United States, similar forces influence the decision to buy or renew private coverage, including premium affordability, service quality, network breadth, and perceived value relative to public programs. For consumers evaluating options, the trend toward higher premium costs underscores the importance of understanding what is actually covered, how deductibles and co pays apply, and the reliability of access to preferred physicians and facilities. [Source: The Insurance Studies Group]