Approximately 1.63 trillion tenge has been allocated for medical services that are part of the guaranteed volume of medical care (GVMC). This care is provided free of charge, even if the patient is not insured.
According to the press service of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), the guaranteed volume of free medical care is funded from the state budget. Citizens of Kazakhstan, oralman (ethnic Kazakh repatriates), refugees, foreigners, and stateless persons permanently residing in the Republic of Kazakhstan and holding a residence permit are eligible for GVMC.
Foreigners and stateless persons temporarily staying in the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as asylum seekers, are entitled to receive GVMC for diseases that pose a danger to others.
“A total of 2.96 trillion tenge has been allocated for the financing of medical services in 2025, of which 1.63 trillion tenge is for medical services in the GVMC package and 1.33 trillion tenge is for the CSHI package. Many people mistakenly believe that they will not be seen at a clinic without insured status. However, there is a list of medical services that will be provided regardless of CSHI status,” noted Indira Sarkenova, Deputy Chair of the SHIF Management Board.
The guaranteed volume of free medical care includes:
- emergency medical care;
- primary healthcare;
- specialised medical care on an outpatient basis;
- specialised medical care in day hospital settings;
- specialised medical care on an inpatient basis;
- medical rehabilitation;
- palliative medical care for the list of diseases determined by the authorised body;
- provision of blood products and its components;
- pathological anatomical diagnostics;
- preparation of a deceased donor for organ or tissue retrieval, retrieval, preservation, procurement, storage, and transportation of organs and tissues for transplantation.
“Patients also have access to preferential outpatient provision of medicines and medical devices for certain chronic diseases specified in the list of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the Fund noted.
In the event of an unlawful refusal of medical care, the SHIF recommends contacting the Patient Support Service, which is available in every clinic and hospital.
“They will help resolve the issue on the spot. If there is a lack of understanding from the medical organisation, you can send an appeal to the Social Health Insurance Fund,” the statement said.