Web-economic-crisis-health-systems-and-health-web

The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
Fimka Tozija
Economic trends
• Real GDP did not contract after 2008, although economic growth slowed
through 2011.
• Although unemployment rates have been decreasing, they have remained
the highest in the European region.
• Public per capita health expenditure growth was 0.6% in 2009 and
negative in 2010. Growth in OOP expenditure remained positive
throughout the 2008 to 2011 period (The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia: Figs. 1 and 2).
Policy responses
Changes to public funding for the health system
• The health budget increased in 2010 and 2011 and was reduced in 2012.
• The SHI contribution rate was reduced from 9.2% to 7.5% (2009); it
was supposed to fall to 6% in 2011 but this change was not implemented.
Changes to health coverage
Population (entitlement)
• Statutory coverage of essential services (preventive check-ups,
immunization, drugs on the positive list, treatment for a range of
communicable diseases) extended to all citizens (to be financed from the
central government budget) (2009).
The benefits package
• Introduction of free check-ups for people in remote areas (2011–2012).
• Introduction of an annual limit on patients treated abroad (2012).
User charges
• No response reported.