Croatian Institute for Health Insurance
| Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje | |
 |
|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 21 August 1993 |
| Headquarters | 3 Margaretska Street, Zagreb, Croatia |
| Employees | 2,407 (31 Dec 2013) |
| Annual budget | HRK 23.5 billion (c. €3.1 billion) (2013) |
| Minister responsible |
|
| Agency executive |
|
| Website | www |
The Croatian Health Insurance Fund (Croatian: Hrvatski zavod za zdravstveno osiguranje or HZZO) is a quasi-public body that administers the universal health care system in Croatia. Established in 1993, the HZZO is the country's national social health insurance fund and its primary source of health financing. As of December 2013[update], 4.29 million people received health insurance coverage through HZZO.
The HZZO is overseen by a director and a board of directors, appointed by the Croatian government on the recommendation of the Minister of Health. These directors represent the insured population, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and independent general practitioners. A central office located in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, sets policies that are implemented by branch offices in each of the country's 21 counties.
All health care providers that receive public funds are required to negotiate annual contracts with the HZZO that set prices and payment plans.
Compulsory health insurance contributions form 76% of the fund's income. About a third of the population - those in employment - are liable to pay full contributions.
The Constitution of Croatia, adopted in December 1990, declared that health care is a human right.
In 1993, the HZZO was created by the Croatian Parliament in order to consolidate the fragmented and decentralized health care system which had been inherited from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The 1993 law recognized patient choice as a principle through a mandatory payroll tax of 15% and allowing the use of private supplementary plans. The Health Care Law of 1993 also guaranteed patients rights which includes access to information about their health, and the ability to refuse examination and treatment.
...
Wikipedia