NEWS

Government expanding free or subsidized healthcare

The coalition is in the process of expanding free or subsidized health coverage for uninsured Greeks and migrants living in Greece legally.

A ministerial decision that would allow those who until now were denied coverage because they lacked the necessary social security credits to obtain health booklets has been published online for public consultation. It is estimated that around 2 million Greeks are uninsured.

The move comes in the wake of a 5-euro fee for visits to public hospitals being scrapped by the government last month.

According to the plan, there will be no income criteria for those who want to apply for the booklets, which will be issued by Citizens’ Information Centers (KEPs). People from other European Union countries living in Greece will also be able to obtain the booklets, as will all children under the age of 18 and pregnant woman, regardless of whether they have residence permits, as long as they do not have private insurance.

The application process will be relatively straightforward as the main document required will be a written declaration by the applicant that he or she does not have social insurance. The paperwork will be submitted at KEPs but checked by local health authorities.

Those issued with booklets will be given access to medical examinations, medicines, hospital treatment and ambulance services, as well as dental and maternity care, among other things. The Computer Center for Social Security Services (IDIKA) will use the information provided to create a database of uninsured Greeks and foreign residents.

The public consultation period for the ministerial decision is due to last until May 11.

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