The problem arose in April. A monastery of the Order of Missionaries of Charity operating in Tallinn wanted to add the data of two foreign nuns to the Health Insurance Fund's database. The nuns were from Canada and India. The Police and Border Guard Board issued Estonian personal identification codes to the nuns. However, the Health Insurance Fund refused to provide health insurance to the nuns.
Tallinn Bishop Philippe Jourdan wrote to the head of the Health Insurance Fund, Siiri Lahe. He said that the Health Insurance Fund's decision was incorrect. According to the bishop, the law grants the right to health insurance even to individuals temporarily staying in Estonia. Since the state has registered the nuns' work, health insurance should be possible.
The bishop emphasized that the law equates the monastery's nuns and monks with other people. Nuns do not have to pay social tax. The bishop said that due to the Health Insurance Fund's refusal, the processing of clergy documents has stopped. This creates uncertainty for the nuns.
According to Siiri Lahe, head of the Health Insurance Fund, temporary stay is not sufficient. Lahe said that to obtain health insurance, a person must be an Estonian resident or have a residence permit. Although the law allows health insurance for temporarily staying individuals, there must be a real employment relationship and payment of social tax. Since nuns do not pay social tax, they cannot receive health insurance.
Lahe clarified that the law protects people living in Estonia. Temporary stay cannot be considered living here. The Health Insurance Fund recommends that foreigners conclude a private health insurance contract. This complies with legal requirements and allows the police to proceed.