Health is one of the most important values in every person’s life. To ensure accessible and high-quality medical care in Kazakhstan, the compulsory social health insurance (CSHI) system was introduced on January 1, 2020.

The CSHI system is based on the principle of equal access: every insured citizen has the right to receive medical services regardless of the amount of contributions paid. Medical care within the CSHI framework is financed through the assets of the Social Health Insurance Fund.

Recipients of medical services are individuals entitled to receive medical care under the CSHI system. Payers include employers and other persons making contributions and payments to the Fund in accordance with the legislation. Employer contributions are paid from their own funds and ensure employees’ right to receive medical care under the CSHI system.

The system includes the concept of an insurance period — a period during which a citizen retains the right to medical care even in the event of a temporary interruption in contribution payments.

The Kazakhstani CSHI model has a social orientation and includes two healthcare packages:

• Guaranteed Volume of Free Medical Care (GVFMC);

• Compulsory Social Health Insurance package (CSHI).

The following persons are entitled to receive medical care under the CSHI system:

1. citizens for whom contributions and/or payments have been made for at least two months within the last twelve calendar months before seeking medical care;

2. persons who studied full-time in technical, vocational, higher, and postgraduate educational institutions, for twelve months after graduation;

3. citizens exempt from paying contributions to the Fund.

In the event of a temporary interruption in participation in the system, medical care continues to be provided during the established insurance period.

Citizens for whom no contributions or payments have been made are provided with the Guaranteed Volume of Free Medical Care in accordance with the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and Healthcare System.”

Foreign citizens, stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as ethnic Kazakhs (Kandas), have equal rights and obligations within the CSHI system alongside citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, unless otherwise provided by law.

Choosing a Doctor and Medical Organization

Every patient has the right to choose or change a doctor or medical organization providing care within the framework of the Guaranteed Volume of Free Medical Care and/or the compulsory social health insurance system, except in cases of emergency and urgent care.

However, the choice of a polyclinic is based on the following principles:

1. family-oriented service;

2. territorial accessibility of primary healthcare;

3. free choice of a medical organization within the territorial accessibility of primary healthcare;

4. patient satisfaction with the quality of medical care;

5. equality and fair competition regardless of ownership form or departmental affiliation.

Attachment to a polyclinic is carried out at the place of permanent or temporary residence, taking into account the right to freely choose a primary healthcare organization within one administrative-territorial unit.

Free choice of a primary healthcare doctor is carried out at the attached polyclinic, considering the number of people assigned to the medical district.

You can check your insurance status on the website of the Social Health Insurance Fund: msqory.kz