Austria Cancels Free Health Insurance for Some Ukrainians

On 1 June, Austria ended compulsory health insurance for Ukrainian refugees who have temporary protection if they are not working and do not receive basic social assistance.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to АРА.

Although compulsory health insurance for Ukrainian refugees was discontinued in Austria on 1 June, a transition period will remain in effect until 12 July. 

It is noted that until then, Ukrainians will still be able to receive free medical care, such as visiting a doctor and receiving medication.

Medical services will also remain free during the transition period. This includes dentistry, hospitalisation and prescriptions.

After that, Ukrainians will have to take care of their own insurance. They can obtain it by finding official employment or insuring themselves independently.

Refugees who receive social assistance (because they cannot support themselves) will continue to have medical insurance. In May, there were almost 35,000 such people. Ukrainians who already work in Austria will also remain insured.

The assistance covers basic expenses if a person does not have sufficient funds of their own or does not receive support from other sources. 

Therefore, the changes will most affect those Ukrainians who have savings but are not working.

As for other benefits, such as childcare assistance or family support, they will remain in effect until the end of October. 

The Austrian authorities have already announced that they plan to change the rules for receiving such payments in order to motivate more Ukrainians to find work.

As The Gaze reported earlier, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger introduced the special coordinator for Ukraine's reconstruction. He is Wolfgang Anzengruber, former chairman of the board of the Verbund energy concern.