BMA demands a 25% increase in medical activity prices; nearly €904 million needed according to NHIF

The Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA) is demanding a 25% increase in the prices of all medical activities, warning of a serious risk of destabilizing the healthcare system in the absence of adequate funding. This was stated by the chairman of the professional organization, Nikolay Branzalov, following a joint statement with the governor of the National Health Insurance Fund, Petko Stefanovski.

According to Branzalov, the system is facing serious financial challenges caused by long-term underfunding. He emphasized that although negotiations between the association and the NHIF have led to progress in the textual part of the National Framework Agreement, their actual implementation is impossible without securing the necessary financial resources.

“The situation is extremely serious. There is a real risk of destabilization, as costs in the sector have increased by 85% in recent years, while the prices of clinical pathways have not been updated since 2024,” Branzalov pointed out. He also drew attention to the issue of the fund’s financial reserves, which were redirected in the past, as well as the lack of clarity regarding increased revenue from health insurance contributions.

For his part, the governor of the NHIF, Petko Stefanovski, estimated that the requested increase would require an additional resource of approximately €904 million. The distribution of the necessary funds includes €83 million for primary outpatient care, €81 million for specialized outpatient care, €52 million for medico-diagnostic activities, and €687 million for hospital care.

Stefanovski emphasized that the signing of an annex to the National Framework Agreement is possible at any moment, but only if funding is secured. According to him, the funds will be directed toward improving access to treatment, prevention, and medical services for citizens.

Both participants in the briefing were adamant that the lack of an adopted NHIF budget for 2026 is the main reason for the current situation. According to them, the necessary funds were included in the draft budget, which did not receive approval from the previous parliament.

The BMA warned that with continued budgetary uncertainty, the entire hospital system is at risk, not just individual medical facilities. The professional organization called on the future parliament to take swift action to stabilize funding and ensure the sustainability of healthcare.