Package of Unified Medical Aid
In Kazakhstan, a series of amendments to the Law on Obligatory Social Health Insurance, signed in July 2025, have brought about significant changes, effective from January 1, 2026. One of the key areas of interest is the provision of free medical screenings for uninsured individuals.
The new legislation places an emphasis on the principle of balanced funding participation by the state, employers, and citizens (Article 4). However, it does not explicitly expand or guarantee free screenings for uninsured individuals outside the obligatory insurance framework.
The amendments do introduce some benefits for contributors. Individuals who have paid contributions regularly for five years will have an extended right to receive medical care for up to six months after stopping payments (previously three months). Additionally, the right to choose a healthcare provider is reserved for individuals who have paid contributions regularly or are exempt from payments.
The new Tax Code, starting January 1, 2026, imposes a reduced VAT rate of 5% on medicines and medical services, transitioning to 10% in 2027. This could indirectly affect the affordability of medical services, although it does not directly address the issue of free screenings for uninsured individuals.
The amendment to the law on conducting screenings for uninsured individuals will ensure screening coverage for vulnerable population groups, including the unemployed, among whom disease rates are rising. Many patients in relatively young age groups have been found to suffer from hypertension, detected through screening, indicating they were unaware of their condition.
It is worth noting that currently, approximately 3.3 million people in Kazakhstan remain uninsured, including unemployed individuals and those in the crisis and emergency well-being category. Statistics show an increase in breast cancer patients over the last 5 years, most of whom are in the reproductive and working-age group.
The lack of explicit guarantee for free screenings for uninsured individuals raises questions about the accessibility of these vital health services for a significant portion of the population. Further regulations or local practices may define screenings for uninsured populations separately.
In conclusion, while system improvements and funding principles have been updated, the legislation does not yet provide a clear path for free screenings for uninsured individuals. It is crucial to monitor future developments in this area to ensure equal access to healthcare for all Kazakhstan citizens.
- The new Law on Obligatory Social Health Insurance in Kazakhstan has prioritized science, particularly related to medical-condition diagnoses.
- Chronic-diseases, such as chronic kidney disease, COPD, and type-2 diabetes, are among the conditions that will be screened for under the new legislation.
- The emphasis on regular screening could lead to earlier detection of cancer, a critical step for successful treatment and management.
- Respiratory-conditions and digestive-health issues, which can severely impact quality of life, are also areas of focus in these extended screenings.
- Additionally, the law encompasses screening for eye-health and hearing, aiming to identify potential issues at an early stage.
- The new health insurance amendments also address health-and-wellness concerns, making fitness-and-exercise a crucial aspect of the screenings.
- Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune-disorders, and mental-health issues are other neurological-disorders that may be identified through these screenings.
- Nutrition plays a significant role in overall health, and the new law acknowledges this by incorporating checks related to dietary factors.
- Multiple-sclerosis and migraines are also conditions that may be diagnosed through these comprehensive screenings.
- The new law is multi-faceted, addressing cardiovascular-health by scrutinizing risk factors for heart disease.
- Skin-conditions, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid-arthritis, are also covered under the expanded screenings.
- Neurological-disorders, like breast-cancer, are of particular importance given the rising disease rates among women, especially those in the reproductive and working-age group.
- Despite the positive steps taken, it's essential to ensure that these vital health screenings are accessible to all, especially the uninsured population, to achieve true health-equity for all Kazakhstan citizens.
