Lithuania to increase healthcare funding and tighten fund oversight

Lithuania is preparing for significant changes to its healthcare financing and oversight. By 2027, the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (PSDF) budget is expected to grow, driven by increased contributions from employees and the state. For 2027, employee contributions are projected to reach 3.24 billion euros, while state contributions for insured citizens are set to rise to 1.4 billion euros due to a new calculation method linking state payments to average worker contributions.

The increased funding is intended to expand healthcare services, improve accessibility to specialists, and support primary, mental, and day-hospital care. Approximately 72 percent of the fund's expenditures, totaling 3.41 billion euros, will be directed toward personal healthcare services.

In a separate legislative move, the Seimas has approved amendments to increase accountability for entities that misuse fund resources or illegally charge patients. Proposed penalties include fines ranging from 20 to 100 percent of the damage caused to the PSDF budget. For illegal charges taken from patients, fines could reach 5 to 15 times the amount collected. Additionally, institutions that fail to comply with corrective orders from the State Patient Insurance Fund may face a two-year ban on entering new contracts with the fund.