Biggest Czech health insurer hands clients back over 18 million crowns

The Czech Republic’s biggest health insurance firm VZP has reimbursed more than 10 000 clients who spent more than the maximum 5,000 crowns (221 USD) on their own healthcare last year, a spokesman said on Monday. The total sum that VZP has handed back to its clients totals more than 18 million crowns (797,000 USD). The insurer said that in the fourth quarter of 2008, its clients spent a total of 4.63 billion crowns (205 million USD) on healthcare fees and treatment, though medicines purchased at the chemist are not included in this figure. The government introduced a new system of healthcare fees at the beginning of 2008 – under the new system, patients must pay a 30-crown fee per visit to the doctor and 60 crowns per night spent in hospital. Those who spend over 5,000 crowns per year on their own healthcare will be reimbursed for the money they spend above that sum.