Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan announced that under the proposed law on universal health insurance, annual medical checkups and screenings will become mandatory for activating insurance packages only starting in 2029.
During a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health Care, lawmakers discussed the feasibility of implementing the comprehensive health insurance plan.
MP Armenuhi Kyureghyan from the Hayastan faction noted that preliminary medical exams conducted in polyclinics will be a prerequisite for accessing insurance packages, Panorama.am reported.
She questioned the Health Minister on whether the country’s polyclinics are prepared for such a large-scale undertaking by January 1. “Are there calculations on the potential queue sizes? Even if we’re ready, do we have the technical capacity and qualified personnel? Are there plans to raise the salaries of doctors and healthcare workers who will be handling significantly more work?” Kyureghyan asked.
In response, Minister Avanesyan explained that, according to the transitional provisions of the draft law, annual checkups and screenings will become mandatory only in 2029.
“Once the insurance package enters into force, annual checkups and screenings will be accessible to everyone. We understand that a two-year adjustment period is necessary so that not everyone rushes in on January 1 for screenings to activate their insurance. Instead, by 2029, everyone will have undergone their checkups in a calm and orderly fashion,” she stated.
“After 2029, when the system is functioning regularly, some screenings, like breast cancer screening for women within a specific age group, will need to be repeated every two years. If the screening is done within that period, insurance access continues. If not, the person will receive a reminder, and their package will be frozen until they complete the checkup,” Avanesyan added.
From January 2026, health insurance will apply to individuals over the age of 65.
