What is the difference between voluntary health insurance and health insurance?

Voluntary health insurance and health insurance offer additional protection for your health, but have different legal frameworks, coverage and principles of operation.Many people confuse them, but there are significant differences between them that affect the rights and opportunities of the insured person.

What is voluntary health insurance?

Voluntary Health Insurance (VHI)is a form of supplementary insurance regulated byThe Health Insurance Act.It is offered by licensedhealth insurance companies, which are not insurers.

Features of DZO:

• The insurer bears the costs ofmedical services, which are not covered by the NHIF;
• It coversextended package of services: examinations, laboratory, prevention, hospital treatment;
• Includesdirect negotiation with medical facilities– quick access without directions;
• There is no compensation in money - the companypays the hospital or clinic directly;
• The contract is concluded normallywith an employer or individually, for a period of 1 year.

What is health insurance?

Health insuranceis a product regulated byThe Insurance Codeand is offered byinsurance companies, licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC).

Main features:

• The insurer payscompensation in moneyin the event of an event (illness, accident, hospitalization);
• May include coverage fortreatment inforeigna, transportation, surgical interventions;
• It is often used forrisk cover– in case of unforeseen situations;
• The policy covers specific risks specified in the contract;
• Payment is madeafter submission of documentsand in most cases – after the event.

Comparison by key criteria:

Критерий	Доброволно здравно осигуряване	Здравна застраховка
Законова рамка	Закон за здравното осигуряване	Кодекс за застраховането
Изпълнител	Здравноосигурително дружество	Застрахователна компания
Начин на плащане	Плаща се директно на лечебно заведение	Изплаща се обезщетение на застрахования
Вид покритие	Профилактика, прегледи, лечение	Инциденти, операции, болнични престои
Връзка с лечебни заведения	Дружеството има договори с конкретни клиники	Обикновено няма директна връзка
Ползване на услуги	Може да ползвате услуги без да плащате на място	Обикновено плащате първо, после се възстановяват парите

Which product is more suitable?

• If you wantregular access to health services, prevention and convenience - choosevoluntary health insurance;
• If you are looking forfinancial protection in case of serious illnesses or accidents– choosehealth insurance;
• Many employers offercombined packages, which combine both.