HSPM
Health Systems and Policy Monitor
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Czechia
Health systems in transition
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Country overview
Population coverage in the Czech Republic is virtually universal, and the range and depth of benefits available to insured individuals are broad.
Czechia operates a Social Health Insurance (SHI) system with a strong regulatory role for the Ministry of Health. Seven quasi-public health insurance funds act as purchasers of care and negotiate annually with health providers to set prices and volumes. The population enjoys a broad benefit package and has access to many hospitals, most of which are owned either by the state or the regions and municipalities. Health insurance funds may offer additional services to their insured in the area of prevention (e.g. vitamins, voluntary immunisations). The largest health insurance fund (VZP) insures just over half of the Czech population.
Public revenues for health are raised through earmarked, wage-related contributions, income-related contributions from the self-employed as well as state contributions (funded from general taxation) on behalf of various economically inactive groups.
Nearly all primary care services are provided by physicians working in private practice, usually as sole practitioners. Patients register with a primary care physician of their choice but can switch to a new one every three months without restriction. Primary care physicians do not play a true gatekeeping role; patients are free to obtain care directly from a specialist and frequently do so. Secondary care services in Czechia are offered by a range of providers, including private practice specialists, health centres, polyclinics, hospitals and specialized inpatient facilities.
PACE
Progress Addressing Cancer in Europe
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