Health insurers warn they will raise rates if state does not increase contributions next year

In reaction to the freezing of state contributions for health insurance, the Czech Association of Health Insurers (SZP ČR) has warned that if the government does not increase subsidies next year they will be forced to raise the rates that consumers have to pay, the Czech News Agency informed on Monday. Vice-Premier Marian Jurečka said on Sunday that the government is planning on increasing state contributions next year.

Czech Association of Health Insurers represents six companies that provide health insurance for 4.7 million people. The president of the association, Ladislav Friedrich, said that health insurers are expecting a deficit of CZK 14 billion crowns this year, with CZK 9 billion left on their accounts by the end of 2022. However, a further CZK 14 billion next year could not be covered, he said.