Rules for issuing a VHI policy for foreign citizens. Can a foreigner count on free medical care in Russia?

The compulsory health insurance policy, or compulsory medical insurance, is not available to all foreign citizens. The right to receive it determines their status. Social insurance is aimed at providing free medical care in the event of an insured event at the expense of the insurance company and within the framework of the basic, territorial program. In this case, the choice of a medical institution or doctor remains with the policy owner.

What is a compulsory medical insurance policy and is it mandatory for foreigners?

A compulsory health insurance policy is a document that ensures the right to receive free medical care throughout the Russian Federation in medical organizations participating in the territorial compulsory medical insurance program. It also provides the opportunity to undergo medical examination (for adults – once every 3 years). It is issued to the working population, pensioners, pupils and students, preschool children, the unemployed who are registered with Employment Centers, and including foreigners. The absence of a document cannot be considered a refusal to provide emergency medical care. If it is available, a person does not have the right to be denied access to a medical institution, even if it was issued in another region. The owner of a compulsory health insurance policy has the right to:

free medical care throughout the Russian Federation in the amount provided for by the basic compulsory medical insurance program;
independent choice of an insurance company or its replacement (once a year, no later than November 1, but there are exceptions), medical institution and attending physician;
examination, treatment in conditions that meet sanitary and hygienic requirements;
compensation for damage if it is caused by a medical institution;
familiarization with medical documentation that contains data on the patient’s health.

Owl t: if problems or additional questions arise, the policy owner can always contact his insurance company, whose contacts are indicated on the policy. If there are complaints about her work, it is worth filing a complaint with the Territorial Compulsory Health Insurance Fund.

A compulsory medical insurance policy must also be issued for foreign citizens who have a temporary residence permit or residence permit, refugees with status, citizens from the EAEU countries who have arrived for official work. Exceptions are highly qualified specialists and members of their families (according to the law “On the legal status of foreign citizens in the Russian Federation”). Other categories of foreigners, including residents of the CIS countries and the Eurasian Customs Union, must purchase a voluntary health insurance policy - VHI.

To obtain insurance, you need to contact one of the offices of the insurance company, presenting the appropriate identification document with a note indicating permission to temporarily reside in the Russian Federation (in the case of permanent residence - a residence permit, SNILS, if available). It is worth remembering that a medical policy only covers the costs of injuries that are possible in the future. The document is valid throughout the country within the scope of the basic compulsory insurance program, but in the region where it was issued - within the framework of the territorial program, which is often much broader. It is important to remember that a compulsory health insurance policy is issued only to a foreign citizen; his family members will have to purchase voluntary health insurance separately. It is also worth considering that, according to Art. 327.2, 327.3 and 327.5 of Chapter 50.1 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, the employer may require a voluntary health insurance policy from a foreign citizen (or must independently provide him with paid medical services).

Fine for lack of health insurance in Russia

If a foreigner has a temporary residence permit, residence permit, refugee status or a person granted temporary asylum, if he came from the EAEU countries to work, then he must apply for compulsory medical insurance. If you don’t do this, you will have to spend your money and buy a voluntary insurance policy. You need to take out insurance on the first day of your stay in the country (regardless of your status and length of stay).

From May 1, 2016, a system of fines was introduced for its absence - from 2 to 5 thousand rubles, and if the offense was committed in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Leningrad, Moscow regions - up to 7 thousand rubles, sometimes with deportation from the country , if the violation was repeated twice in 1 year (Article 18.8 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offences). The minimum amount of VHI insurance for foreigners is 100 thousand rubles. Its validity period cannot be less than the term of the patent or work permit.

Is medical care provided to foreigners without insurance?

If a foreign citizen does not have compulsory medical insurance, he can only count on emergency medical care for free (exacerbation of chronic diseases, sudden acute illnesses that pose a threat to life). Other services, for example, pregnancy management, vaccination, outpatient preventive treatment, are provided only on a paid basis or through voluntary health insurance.

Important: It is worth remembering that a child has the right to a compulsory medical insurance policy only after receiving Russian citizenship. Parents' registration and rights to free medical care do not provide their child with them. It is believed that according to the mother’s compulsory medical insurance policy, the child can undergo examinations by a doctor until he receives a birth certificate, but not more than 3 months. But in practice, doctors rarely agree to accept such patients, since this is not paid. To receive full assistance, vaccinations, and preferential prescriptions, you will have to buy voluntary health insurance.

How can a foreign citizen obtain a compulsory medical insurance policy?

Since January 2017, citizens of countries belonging to the EAEU can apply for a compulsory medical insurance policy free of charge, but only subject to official employment; the same right is granted to those who have a temporary residence permit or residence permit. To apply for health insurance, you must contact the insurance company by writing an application indicating personal data, SNILS, information from an identity document, an employment contract, if a foreign citizen is from the EAEU, contacts. Additionally, you need to provide papers (instead of some, you can bring notarized copies): an identity document, SNILS, a detachable part of the notification form of the arrival of a foreign citizen indicating the dates and place of stay.

Persons with RVP

Foreign citizens who have a temporary residence permit, regardless of whether they are employed or not, must take out a compulsory medical insurance policy (Article 10 of the Federal Law of November 29, 2010 No. 326-FZ “On Compulsory Health Insurance in the Russian Federation”). This can be done at any health insurance company by providing the appropriate package of documents. The compulsory medical insurance policy will give you the opportunity to register at a clinic, antenatal clinic, and receive treatment in a hospital for free.

Persons with a residence permit

To apply for health insurance, you need to contact the insurance company, providing a passport and a document confirming your status. It is important to understand that foreigners who are staying in Russia temporarily, on the basis of a visa or migration card, belong to a different category and are not subject to compulsory health insurance, but are required to purchase a voluntary health insurance policy for the entire period of their stay in the country. It is also important to know that the compulsory medical insurance policy for a person who has a residence permit is issued only to him; its effect does not apply to family members.

Persons with a residence permit and temporary residence permit with a compulsory medical insurance policy have the right to receive free of charge:

emergency medical care;
medical care within the framework of the territorial compulsory health insurance program (the list of its types in different regions and medical institutions may differ, but it always includes health care, inpatient, specialized medical care).

What documents need to be collected?

To obtain a compulsory medical insurance policy, you need to provide a minimum of documents. The main goal is to confirm your status, which allows you to obtain free health insurance. Minimum package of papers:

Passport with a mark of residence and registration at the place of residence (child's birth certificate, if the document is issued for him).
SNILS (in some cases).
If necessary - documents confirming the status of a foreign citizen (refugee certificate, certificate of consideration of an application for refugee recognition, certificate of temporary asylum, paper of the established form, identifying a stateless person, etc.).
Foreign citizens from the EAEU provide an employment contract, a detachable part of the form on the arrival of a foreign citizen.

Important: you need to remember that foreigners from the EAEU countries receive the right to apply for a compulsory medical insurance policy, which guarantees free medical care within the framework of the territorial compulsory health insurance program, subject to the provision of an employment and not a civil law contract.

The compulsory medical insurance policy begins to operate immediately after issue. If you wish, you can register with it in a private clinic. The applicant is given a temporary certificate, which is valid until the completed policy is received (but not more than 30 days). It gives the right to receive medical care free of charge and in full. The time frame for issuing a compulsory medical insurance policy depends on the policy of a particular insurance company. As a rule, it is 10-30 days. You can find out about the readiness of health insurance on the websites of territorial funds by contacting the point of issue of the compulsory medical insurance policy, where the applicant received a temporary certificate, by calling the phone number indicated on it.

Where can foreign citizens obtain a compulsory medical insurance policy?

A compulsory medical insurance policy can be issued free of charge from a medical insurance organization in just a few minutes. It is chosen at your own discretion in the region where the foreigner plans to live. You can get detailed advice on choosing a health insurance policy and the features of the program by contacting the Territorial Compulsory Health Insurance Fund in the selected region.

Compulsory medical insurance policy cost and validity period

Compulsory medical insurance guarantees free medical care in institutions that participate in the compulsory health insurance program. From January 1, 2017, for citizens from the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan), such a policy is issued free of charge. For foreigners who have a temporary residence permit, residence permit and officially work, stateless persons, refugees, compulsory medical insurance is valid until the end of the calendar year, but no longer than a residence permit.

But VHI costs on average 4 thousand rubles. for citizens from 18 to 60 years old, and if the age exceeds this value - about 6 thousand rubles. Its validity period is 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. To purchase a policy for children, you will need about 5 thousand rubles. But the amounts largely depend on the pricing policy of a particular insurance company and the chosen program.

Foreign citizens, depending on their status, can receive compulsory medical insurance (CHI) or voluntary medical insurance (VHI). Foreigners who came from the EAEU countries under an employment contract and have a temporary residence permit, residence permit, and refugee status have the right and must take out a policy of the first type. A simple procedure and a few days of waiting will provide the opportunity to receive free medical care throughout the country.

The insured for a foreign citizen and his family members can be himself or the receiving party. Employers often include voluntary health insurance in their social package.

Features of medical insurance for foreigners in Russia

The contract is concluded for the entire period of stay in the country and can be extended. From our insurance company you can profitably buy a VHI policy for foreign citizens, including for all family members. This document will be required to obtain a work patent and to register a child for school or kindergarten.

For official employment, in accordance with the order of the Central Bank dated September 13, 2015, you must have a contract for a period of one year. You can obtain a work permit only if the amount of compensation exceeds 100 thousand rubles. According to the contract, the insured person is given the right to receive medical services in the established volume.

Registration of a voluntary insurance policy

Voluntary health insurance agreements are concluded at the Element agency office; a representative can visit your home. A voluntary health insurance policy is issued for foreign citizens based on the following documents:

Foreign or national passport.
Migration card with a border crossing mark.
Child's birth certificate.
Document on registration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Residence permits in the Russian Federation.

The policyholder fills out an application on a special form and pays a fee in the prescribed amount through a bank branch. The original receipt is attached to the package of documents. The paperwork usually takes a few minutes after checking the information provided.

Tariffs for purchasing a voluntary health insurance policy

The Element Agency offers extremely favorable insurance conditions for foreign citizens. Its cost depends on the validity period, the amount of coverage and the volume of services provided. When drawing up a contract for a minimum period of 30 days, the policyholder will pay 600 rubles or more. For a labor migrant, a policy for at least 365 days is required and it will cost from 2,500 rubles.

It should be remembered that voluntary health insurance for foreign citizens has been mandatory since last year. The absence of an agreement is an administrative offense and is punishable by a fine of 2 to 5 thousand rubles, and expulsion from the territory of the Russian Federation is also possible.

Foreigners who have come to Russia for a long time and are in the country legally have the right to take out insurance and use medical care for free. From the point of view of the law, permanent residents are considered to be persons who have received a residence permit. The compulsory medical insurance program for foreign citizens in 2019 works similarly to that designed for Russian citizens.

The following have the right to count on a medical policy:

Foreigners who live in Russia permanently and have a residence permit (except for the CIS).
Children with foreign citizenship.
Workers who came from abroad at the invitation of the employer for employment at a specific enterprise (including residents of the CIS countries). The document can only be issued if you have a work permit.
Participants in resettlement programs who have gone through the stages of registration with the Federal Migration Service and received a temporary migrant certificate.

For foreigners who arrived in the Russian Federation not at the invitation of an employer, have not obtained a work permit and do not have a residence permit, access to free medicine is denied.

Duration and cost of insurance

In 2019, compulsory health insurance for Russians does not expire. In the case of foreigners, the duration of validity may be limited.

The compulsory medical insurance policy for foreign citizens who reside on the basis of a temporary residence permit and are officially employed is valid until the expiration date of the temporary residence permit.
Persons living in Russia permanently (including temporary migrants) apply for an indefinite period.
Refugees receive insurance for the period during which the refugee certificate is valid.

For visiting workers, the insurer is the company that provided the workplace. The employer who pays contributions to the compulsory medical insurance fund prepares for the insurance company a list of foreign employees who require a medical insurance policy. For unemployed citizens with refugee status, the insurer is the administration.

The cost of such insurance is on average 15,000 rubles.

Submitting an application

Get honey. the applicant can take out the policy independently. He will be required to submit an application and the following documents (originals and copies):

For refugees: a refugee certificate or confirmation that an application for refugee status is being considered.
For permanent residents: national passport or other document that is officially recognized as an identity document, SNILS (if any).
For stateless residents of Russia: a document that serves as an identity document, SNILS.
For temporary residents: national passport or other official document with a mark indicating the issuance of a temporary residence permit.

After receiving the application, the foreigner is issued a temporary certificate. It is valid until the day the honey is made. policy.

The maximum duration is a month from the date of contacting the insurance company. The certificate does not limit the owner’s rights - he uses it as he would use a policy.

When the document is ready, the insurance company employees will notify the recipient. He will need to come again with an identity card, hand over the certificate and receive a completed document.

Mechanism of action

Honey. The policy gives you the right to see doctors free of charge on the territory of Russia. Services included in the basic compulsory medical insurance program are provided free of charge in any subject of the Federation. In the region where a person is insured, services are added to them within the framework of the territorial program.

In 2019, foreigners who do not fall into the categories described above have the right to receive emergency emergency care. It is provided free of charge through funding from the budget. Emergency services include assistance for injuries, acute infections and poisoning.

A foreign citizen pays for planned treatment or examination independently. In order to protect himself from unexpected expenses, he can get honey. voluntary insurance policy. Detailed information about this type of service, including how much voluntary insurance costs, can be obtained from insurance company consultants.

In accordance with Russian legislation, foreign citizens have the right to legally work in our country only if they have medical insurance. Depending on the status of a foreigner, the law establishes a requirement to issue a document of compulsory or voluntary health insurance.

Medical insurance for foreigners

Legal norms, in particular Federal Law No. 115-FZ of July 25, 2002, determine the legal status of foreigners in Russia. This document establishes that a foreign citizen who arrived in the Russian Federation to carry out work activities must have a voluntary health insurance policy (Clause 10, Article 13). Moreover, in this case, a foreign worker means people temporarily staying in Russia and legally carrying out labor activities here.

Obtaining health insurance comes with certain financial costs. If a citizen crosses the border of the Russian Federation to carry out work activities on the territory of our country, the costs of paying for medical insurance, by agreement of the parties, can be incurred either by the company or by the foreign citizen independently.

Requirements for a VHI policy for a migrant

When applying for insurance, a migrant worker must take into account that the validity period of the policy must correspond to the period of labor activity in the Russian Federation, that is, a patent or work permit. The Ministry of Labor spoke about this separately in letter No. 16-4/B-465 dated September 26, 2016, stating that the validity period of the voluntary health insurance policy must be no less than the term of the employment contract.

In order to unify the requirements for VHI policies of a foreign citizen, the Bank of Russia approved Directive No. 3793-U dated September 15, 2015. In accordance with this document, the amount of insurance coverage for a migrant should not be less than 100,000 rubles. The policy must contain mandatory details, such as series and number, and also disclose information about the policyholder, insurer and insured citizen. You can also stipulate in the insurance contract a condition on the entry into force of the policy from the moment of obtaining a patent or work permit.

The validity of the purchased policy must extend to the subject of the Federation in which it is planned to carry out work activities.

What is VHI for foreign citizens and for what categories of individuals is it intended?

A VHI policy for foreign citizens allows not only to legalize themselves in Russia, but also to receive emergency medical care if necessary. Let's consider what a voluntary health insurance policy for foreign citizens is, what category of persons it is intended for, and how it is issued.

First of all, a VHI policy for foreign citizens allows you to receive free medical care in emergency situations. Depending on the terms of insurance, an individual has the right to receive treatment and other qualified medical care. The document must disclose the list of services available to the migrant.

Art. 327 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation establishes that issuing a VHI policy for foreign citizens is a necessary condition for a certain group of foreigners, depending on the status received.

If a person is a citizen temporarily or permanently residing in Russia, he has the right to receive medical care on the basis of a compulsory health insurance policy (CHI). Accordingly, such foreigners do not need to take out voluntary health insurance.

However, in the case when an individual is in Russia temporarily, that is, is a temporary citizen, issuing a VHI policy is a mandatory requirement. At the same time, in accordance with Art. 327 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, when applying for employment, you will need to indicate the details of the VHI policy in the employment contract.

How to obtain VHI for a foreign citizen

In order to apply for a voluntary health insurance policy for foreign citizens, you must contact one of the insurance companies represented in the Russian Federation. The law does not provide any restrictions in this regard. In addition to a wide range of insurance companies, recently a foreigner can also apply for VHI at Russian post offices.

To obtain insurance from a citizen, you will need a minimum package of documents, which consists of a copy of an identity document and a copy of the migration card issued when crossing the state border.

As for VHI for foreign citizens from 2018, no changes are expected at the moment. As before, obtaining an insurance policy will guarantee the legality of the stay and employment of an individual with foreign citizenship in our country.

Conducting labor activities in the absence of a voluntary health insurance policy is prohibited. If the policy expires during work, it must be renewed. Until the violation is eliminated, the employee cannot be allowed to perform his duties. The fine for lack of voluntary health insurance is established by the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation and ranges from 2,000 to 7,000 rubles. If a migrant is caught not having a document again, he faces deportation from the country.

VHI for foreign citizens - this is not a whim, but a necessity, because the compulsory medical insurance rules apply only to those permanently living in Russia and having a job. What should the rest of us do - those who came to the country temporarily or have not yet documented their right to work? Only VHI - voluntary health insurance - remains at their service. Let's figure out what is needed to apply for a VHI policy.

Is health insurance available for foreign citizens in Russia?

Since the transition from free Soviet medicine to insurance, Russians have been subject to compulsory medical insurance - compulsory insurance that guarantees the receipt of medical services. But in addition to citizens of the Russian Federation, foreigners also live on Russian territory: refugees, migrants, and simply people who came to work. How can they get medical help?

It should be said right away that some amount of assistance is available even to those who do not have a policy. Thus, everyone legally present in the territory of our country has the right:

call an ambulance and use its services;
go to the hospital if you experience severe pain or the illness is life-threatening;
use medical transport for transportation to the medical department;
finally, in the event of death - to transport the body to the homeland for burial.

But this is just the minimum. Those who are not satisfied with it have the opportunity to apply for health insurance. Insurance for foreigners in this area includes:

Compulsory medical insurance - for those with a work permit, employed or working under civil contracts. However, unlike Russians, foreigners use compulsory medical insurance services temporarily, only for the period that they are allowed to stay in our country.
VHI - voluntary insurance.

Registration of a voluntary health insurance policy for foreign citizens

A foreigner who has no intention of working in Russia and is in our country for personal reasons must contact the insurance company and purchase a policy VHI for foreign citizens. Under this policy, he will be able to fully receive all necessary medical services - from ambulance to dental treatment. Women also have the right to medical supervision of pregnancy and delivery.

To apply for VHI, a foreigner can contact any insurance company that provides services of this kind. Having paid for the policy, he gets the opportunity to go to any Russian hospital.

It should be noted that VHI for foreigners is not a right, but an obligation: anyone staying in Russia for more than three days is required to apply for a policy. Otherwise, the foreigner may be subject to administrative liability, and in some circumstances this may even become a reason for deportation. In addition, without voluntary medical insurance it is impossible to obtain a patent for the right to work in Russia.

What documents are needed to obtain a policy?

To apply for a policy VHI for foreign citizens The following documents are required:

A document that serves as proof of identity. Usually this is the passport of the state of which the foreigner is a citizen.
If the passport is not in Russian, an official translation into Russian, certified by a notary, is also required. For citizens of Kyrgyzstan, translation is not required, since the information in their passports is initially duplicated in Russian.
Migration card.
Documents on registration with the Federal Migration Service.
Residence permit in Russia.
Receipt of payment.

Having presented all these documents, the foreigner receives a VHI policy.

Who doesn't need a VHI policy?

For citizens of some countries, VHI on the territory of Russia does not need to be issued, since they have the right to receive medical services under compulsory medical insurance. Such states now include, for example, Belarus. Treaties concluded within the framework of the union state make the status of Belarusians in Russia and Russians in Belarus almost identical.