The financing of the Health Insurance Fund is a major concern for the state.
The population is aging and employment relationships are changing. As a result, there are fewer workers paying social tax. The Health Insurance Fund receives money from the social tax.
According to new forecasts from the Ministry of Finance, the deficit of the Health Insurance Fund is smaller than previously estimated. For example, in 2026, the deficit will be 105 million euros, not 178 million.
Pille Banhard, a member of the Health Insurance Fund's board, said the deficit is smaller because social tax revenues are better. The Health Insurance Fund also needs to improve efficiency and cut its expenses.
Banhard added that due to the aging population, people need more healthcare services. The Health Insurance Fund must find solutions on how to finance these services.
Social Minister Karmen Joller said the task is to ensure that the volume of medical care does not decrease next year.
According to the Ministry of Finance's new forecasts, the Health Insurance Fund's reserves will not run out before 2029. Previously, it was estimated that the reserves would be depleted by 2027.
Joller added that the Health Insurance Fund also has the option to use a reserve capital and risk reserve of 200 million euros.
But how to proceed when the reserves are eventually depleted? Former Health Insurance Fund director Rain Laane said politicians should decide how to find solutions to the problem.
Joller does not yet have specific solutions, but she hopes that private funds can be involved in healthcare financing. A report assessing how to involve private funds is expected to be completed in November.