The three health-insurance companies operating in Slovakia showed a loss of €69 million at the end of March, having different reasons for that, according to results of their performance published by Healthcare Supervisory Office (UDZS) on Tuesday.
The three health insurers ended last year over €166 million in the red, with state-run health-insurer VsZP making the biggest loss of €153.8 million.
VsZP posted a negative financial result, as it has been subsidising private health insurers. "VsZP should radically adjust price conditions vis-a-vis health care providers and thus reduce its costs," noted UDZS head Renata Blahova. According to her, the UDZS cannot order a recovery plan to it, as it has been stripped of this power. VsZP showed a loss of €50.2 million at the end of March.
Private health insurer Dovera showed a loss as well, however, UDZS views its financial results as distorted. "It continues to overvalue its assets," stated Blahova. The UDZS has already filed a criminal complaint to the Special Prosecutor's Office on this issue. Dovera's loss amounted to €15.6 million in late March.
Another private health insurer, Union ended last year with a profit of €1.1 million, but showed a loss of almost €3 million in late March. Blahova pointed to the fact it is paying out dividends to a private shareholder despite this. "It was some €10 million only for the past two years, with the last dividend being paid out in February 2023," said Blahova, pointing to the fact that Slovakia is the only EU country where profits from a public health insurance scheme can be paid to private shareholders.
(TASR)
