Okoliyski: No Healthcare Price Increases Possible Without Budget Update

Medical activity prices cannot be changed without an available budget. This was stated by the caretaker Minister of Health, Assoc. Prof. Mikhail Okoliyski, regarding the Bulgarian Medical Association’s request to sign an annex to the National Framework Agreement (NFA), which would provide for a price increase.

“The healthcare system has been struggling for more than just the last month and a half. In principle, we support any action that is in the interest of both patients and those working in the system, but this must be done according to the procedures provided by law,” the Minister pointed out.

He emphasized that the initiative to sign an annex to the NFA falls within the powers of the Bulgarian Medical Association and the National Health Insurance Fund, while the Ministry of Health plays the role of a mediator. “The timing of such a request is very strange. I do not want to think that this is a political demand, but such a conclusion could be drawn,” added Assoc. Prof. Okoliyski.

Later, the Governor of the NHIF, Assoc. Prof. Petko Stefanovski, also stated that a price update is impossible without a change in the budget. According to him, the current extension law requires the institution to operate with one-twelfth of the 2025 budget each month and within the limits of actually collected revenues.

“An annex to the NFA can be signed at any time, but only if it does not contain financial parameters. A change in prices can occur through an amendment to the budget extension law, which must be adopted by Parliament,” Stefanovski explained.

These statements come amid demands from professional organizations for an update on the prices of medical activities due to rising costs within the system.