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:

Criterion	Voluntary health insurance	Health insurance
Legal framework	Health Insurance Law	Insurance Code
Artist	Health insurance company	Insurance company
Method of payment	It is paid directly to a medical facility	Compensation is paid to the insured
Type of coverage	Prevention, examinations, treatment	Accidents, surgeries, hospital stays
Connection with medical facilities	The company has contracts with specific clinics	There is usually no direct connection
Use of Services	You can use services without paying on the spot	Usually you pay first, then the money is refunded

Which product is more suitable?

• If you wantregular access to ...