Macedonia's Health Insurance Fund Director Zlatko Perinski Announces Crackdown on Overseas Treatment Spending

Director Zlatko Perinski of the Macedonian Health Insurance Fund said the fund’s biggest financial leak is spending on treatments abroad, amounting to about 500 million denars (over €8 million) annually. He also highlighted a sharp rise in long‑term disease benefits – cases over 30 days have increased 33 % since the COVID‑19 pandemic, with more than 300,000 registrations recorded for 2025 – and high outlays for orthopedic aids.

Perinski announced the creation of a dedicated working group to audit approvals, tighten controls, and simplify the disease‑benefit system. The initiative, supported by the Ministry of Health, medical chambers and the World Health Organization, aims to improve transparency, prevent abuse and reduce unnecessary spending across the three key areas.