NHIF Audited 258 Hospitals Regarding Patients Visiting Casinos During Hospitalization

A total of 258 hospitals were audited by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in connection with identified cases of patients who visited gaming halls while documented as being hospitalized. This was reported by the Governor of the institution, Assoc. Prof. Petko Stefanovski.

The audits are related to reported hospitalizations during the first half of 2025, during which 4,155 patients were identified as registered in casinos, despite the fact that according to healthcare facility data, they should have been in hospital beds. According to the NHIF analysis, a total of over 22,000 visits to gambling establishments were recorded by individuals who were officially undergoing treatment.

Of all identified patients, the Regional Health Insurance Funds were unable to establish contact with 1,610, some of whom had already passed away at the time of the audit. Another 234 individuals refused to cooperate. Among those who responded to the inquiries, 296 patients stated that they had left the healthcare facility during their hospitalization. An additional 244 indicated that they had played online gambling games, but according to data from the National Revenue Agency, these cases involved physical presence in gaming halls rather than online betting.

“The NHIF audits also revealed something else—more than 10% of patients refused to cooperate. We will work to build trust between the institution and the citizens, because patients are at the center of the system, and control protects their rights,” commented Assoc. Prof. Stefanovski.

According to him, 102 patients stated that their ID card data had been used by other individuals. Another 11 people indicated that they had been admitted to the hospital but did not stay overnight, resulting in sanctions being imposed on the respective healthcare facilities.

Unpaid activities by the NHIF and the imposed sanctions total nearly €60,000. The identified cases of fictitious or suspicious hospitalizations have been referred to the Prosecutor’s Office, which is to determine whether there has been a misuse of patients’ personal data.