A large discussion is happening in Slovakia about the financial transparency of medical services. According to analysts, over the last year, patients paid about 801 million euros from their own pockets for various extra fees. This is happening even though most of these services are officially covered by state insurance.
Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodský highlighted mass complaints from citizens. Patients are increasingly forced to pay for visits or procedures that should be free. Foreigners, especially Ukrainians with temporary protection, are particularly vulnerable. Because of language barriers and not knowing local laws, they often become victims of unfair charges.
Regional authorities and human rights defenders accuse the Ministry of Health of inaction. The promised reform, which should clearly separate paid and free services, has not yet been presented. Also, working groups at the ministry are operating without the involvement of regional representatives.
On the other hand, the Association of Private Doctors (ASL) states that the payments are not a whim, but a way to save clinics from closing. Doctors claim that state funding does not even cover basic operating costs. They say that if these extra payments are banned without reviewing the budgets of insurance companies, the primary care sector will simply collapse, and waiting lines for doctors will become endless.
If you believe a payment at a doctor's office was illegal, lawyers advise following this plan:
Contact the medical facility and submit a written claim within 30 days after payment. The facility must provide an answer within one month.
If the hospital ignores the claim, contact the health department of your region (for example, through the email of the relevant region).
The situation remains uncertain, as patients demand legal free healthcare, and doctors demand fair funding from the state.
