Free Healthcare for Pensioners in Ukraine: Which Services May Be Covered by the State

A doctor and a patient, money in the wallet. Photo: Magnific, Novyny.LIVE. Collage: Novyny.LIVE

Ukrainians often face a situation where at a hospital they are asked to pay for a consultation, examination, or another medical service. At the same time, part of this assistance may be provided free of charge within the Medical Guarantees Program.

What to check before reaching for your wallet at the hospital, explains Novyny.LIVE with reference to lawyer Mykhailo Vulakh.

Which medical services may be free of charge

Within the Medical Guarantees Program, patients can receive medical care free of charge if they meet the requirements of the relevant package. In particular, this may apply to:

primary health care;

consultations with certain specialists;

laboratory tests;

electrocardiograms;

ultrasound, CT, and MRI with appropriate indications and referrals;

hospital treatment and surgeries in facilities that have a contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU) for the corresponding service;

emergency medical care;

certain medicines under the “Available Medicines” program.

At the same time, the mere fact that a medical service exists in a hospital does not mean it will automatically be free. It is important whether it is provided by a specific PMG package and whether the medical facility fulfills the contract terms with NSZU.

When you may be asked to pay for a medical service

There are services and situations not covered by the Medical Guarantees Program. In such cases, the medical facility may provide them on a paid basis. Possible cases include:

the service is not part of any NSZU package;

the patient has approached without the necessary referral;

the hospital does not have a contract with NSZU for the relevant type of care;

additional or comfort services;

the patient independently orders a service not provided for by the program.

Paid services may include, for example, certain types of dental care, cosmetic procedures, or services that have no medical indications or are not included in the corresponding package.

At the same time, lack of a referral does not always mean you have to pay for an appointment. There are exceptions, notably for primary care and for certain specialists.

What to do if you are asked to pay

If the hospital informs you that you must pay for a service, do not immediately agree to pay. First, ask the hospital staff to explain why the service is paid and on what tariff it is billed.

Also clarify:

whether the service is part of the NSZU package;

whether the hospital has a contract with NSZU for the service;

whether an electronic referral is required;

whether the service is on the official list of paid services of the facility;

what exact amount is payable.

If the medical facility demands money for a service that the patient believes should be free, it is advisable to approach the hospital's director and request a written explanation of why free assistance was refused.

Why it is important to keep receipts

If you still had to pay for a medical service, demand an official payment document and keep it. A receipt, invoice, contract, or another document can serve as evidence when you later contact the management of the medical facility or NSZU.

Informal transfer of money without documentary confirmation greatly complicates proving that payment was made and challenging the situation.

Where to turn if a free service is not provided

If the issue cannot be resolved directly at the hospital, a patient can contact the National Health Service of Ukraine. The NSZU helpline is available at the number 16-77. Previously, NSZU also explained that if free assistance is refused, the patient should first contact the hospital director, and if the issue remains unresolved — file a complaint.

When filing a complaint, it is advisable to attach all available evidence: copies of receipts, written refusals, information about the medical facility, referrals, and other documents.

Is it possible to get a refund for money already paid

If the patient has already paid for a medical service, and it later turns out that it should have been provided free under the PMG, one should not discard payment documents and should contact the medical facility and NSZU. The possibility of a refund will depend on the specific circumstances, the terms of the relevant package, and whether the service was indeed included in the state program.

Earlier, Novyny.LIVE reported that before traveling to Poland, Ukrainians should carefully check the contents of their first-aid kit. Special rules apply to drugs containing codeine, strong sedatives, tranquilizers, and opioid painkillers — a prescription may be required.

Novyny.LIVE also wrote that a lost or damaged pension certificate should be renewed as soon as possible, as without it there may be problems proving eligibility for certain benefits. This can be done for free online via the Pension Fund of Ukraine portal or app, or in person at a service center.