The 2021 National Health Insurance Fund budget bill envisions increases by nearly 13% in revenues and expenditures without significant structural changes.
On the revenue side, a total amount of BGN 5,341 billion (EUR 2,670 billion) is expected (an increase by BGN 567 million (EUR 283 million) compared to 2020). Similar to 2020, the excess is warrantable by the expected increase of the employees' insurance income and the increase of the insurance income base for the state's contributions.
The NHIF will receive an additional BGN 237 million (EUR 118 million) from the Ministry of Health. This money is earmarked to cover the supplement to the medical staff's salaries for the epidemic emergency duration. Physicians will receive additional BGN 600, nurses BGN 360, and medical orderlies BGN 120 per month. Physicians with monthly salaries exceeding BGN 5000 will not be eligible for the supplement.
Traditionally, the largest share of expenditures is allocated to inpatient care: BGN 2,645 billion (EUR 1,322 billion), which exceeds the previous years by 17%. The next most significant line item is the projected expenditure on medicinal products amounting to BGN 1,332 billion (EUR 666 billion). Compared to 2020, the growth in this expenditure item is 7%.
There is a growth in the amounts allocated for primary outpatient medical care, specialized outpatient medical care, and outpatient diagnostic services. Despite the increase, this line-items continue to constitute only about 12% of the total NHIF expenditures.
The bill also empowers the Council of Ministers to approve additional transfers to the NHIF for COVID-19-related activities.