The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is facing serious financial challenges in 2025. According to official data presented during a Supervisory Board meeting on July 31, the drug budget is only 63% fulfilled, which puts the financial stability of the system in question.
Assoc. Prof. Petko Stefanovski, who leads the institution, emphasized an extremely low absorption rate in various medical areas. The analysis shows that outpatient medical care and medical diagnostic activities have a budget execution below 50%, which creates serious risks for the annual financial result.
As of June 30 this year, a negative budget balance of an impressive 403,978,600 leva has already been formed. The NHIF manager himself refrains from definitive forecasts but hints at a possible opening of a financial reserve in September, which would potentially cover out-of-limit hospital activities.
Deputy Minister of Finance Kiril Ananiev presented additional worrying data regarding dental care. Monthly expenses are around 36 million leva, while the forecast for the rest of the year indicates around 27.5 million monthly. Ananiev recommended immediate activation of a financial regulation mechanism.
Ivan Kokalov from CITUB, a member of the Supervisory Board, openly stated the lack of effective mechanisms for increasing revenues or substantially reducing expenses. According to his expert assessment, the deficit is inevitable, although potentially partially limited by introducing strict financial control.
The institution remains challenged to balance limited financial resources with the growing health needs of the population, with all indicators pointing to the need for urgent and targeted anti-crisis measures.