Healthcare

One of the most important things to consider when moving is the country’s level of health services. With a population of just under 3 million, as of 2006 all children under the age of 7 were treated free of charge, and, as of 2019, all children under 18 are treated free of charge. Medication is also provided if the polyclinic has been recently supplied. There are multiple programs in place to help those in financial need access the medical treatment necessary. 

Currently, the average lifespan of a male is 67 years, while females are much higher at 75. 

The leading causes of death in Armenia are:

• Coronary Heart Disease

• Stroke

• Lung Cancer

• Breast Cancer

• Lung Disease

• Diabetes

It should be noted that while diseases such as tuberculosis are considered a high risk, HIV is nearly nonexistent and neither Poliomyelitis nor Malaria have been noted in over a decade.

If you are looking for work, particularly out of Yerevan, in the medical field, click here for a list of vacancies. Diseases the government will help you pay for treatment are included here.

Diabetes in Armenia is considered a social disease. The state has developed a diabetes care program, according to which patients can receive free endocrinologists' consultations, undergo examinations in district clinics and receive vital medications (insulin and sugar-lowering tablets) for free.

Since 2010, the Yeraz Charitable Fund has been operating in Armenia, the country's only leading program for providing diabetic children with insulin and sugar-lowering medication. “Yeraz” closely cooperates with the endocrinological department of the “Muratsan” clinical complex of Yerevan State Medical University.

Patients having a breast cancer can apply to the Armenian American Wellness Center, which is a humanitarian project of the Armenian American Cultural Association operating since 1995. The project aims to promote the early and accurate detection of breast and cervical cancer, and to provide relatively low-cost primary health care services to women in Armenia.

The Republic of Armenia under Article 5 (c) of the Law on Medical Assistance and Service to Population guarantees that all patients have the right to confidentiality regarding the very fact they consulted with a physician as well as the state of their health and any information gathered during examinations, diagnostics, and treatment. Moreover, Article 19 (c) of the same Law sets out the obligations of medical care and service providers to respect their patients’ confidentiality, except in cases provided for by Armenian legislation (for example, when the disclosure is required by law enforcement agencies). According to Article 145 of the Criminal Code of the RA patient data can be disclosed only upon request of the courts, the prosecutor’s office, authorities carrying out investigations, and other authorized entities in situations and according to procedures set by law. 

Currently, Armenia is in the stage of legislative reforms in this area. Amendments to the law on medical care and public services will be introduced soon which will provide a better regulation of the relationship between patients and health workers as well as introduce e-health system in Armenia.

Right to complain

As to filing a complaint about a doctor, Article 19 of  the Law on Medical Assistance and Service to Population  vaguely states that “medical service implementers” bear responsibility for dealing with illegal or improper medical activities, particularly where fault has caused damage to human health. It is quite unclear where to file a complaint about improper medical service delivery. However, in such cases we recommend first of all to report to the administration of the clinic if some minor violations take place and the solution can be found via negotiations. Based on the severity of the case, you can also protect your rights by lodging a complaint to Human Rights Defender or bring action in court. 

Please see above other opportunities to submit a complaint:

• Hotline of Human Rights Defender - 116, +374-96-116100

• Hotline of Yerevan Municipality - 105, +374-11-514000

• Hotline of the Ministry of Health - 8003

• Hotline for citizens’ complaints and appeals of staff of the Prime Minister of the RA - 117, +374-10-527000

Note: A new online system has been launched recently making it possible to submit an application, request or complaint without visiting a state body - https://e-request.am/en 

Language of medical consultations

Language barrier for non-Armenian speakers is quite an obstacle when it comes to medical consultations. However, for Russian speakers have nothing to worry about since the overwhelming majority of doctors in Armenia speak Russian and can easily switch to it during their consultations. As for English, not all doctors have good language skills to an extent letting them easily consult a patient in English. In Armenia, unlike in the USA or Israel, medical institutions do not provide medical interpreters. You can though book an interpreter for medical consultation at the clinic.

Emergency medical evacuation

This type of service is provided within the package “Safe holiday” by Reso Insurance which can be received at VTB Bank.

Another option is provided by Global Air Rescue company which works with Yerevan Zvartnots airport. They offer emergency medical teams, medical equipment and ground transport. 

Horizon Air Ambulance has been operating in Armenia for over 25 years transporting patients from and to Armenia. Their services are available in Yerevan, Goris, Gyumri, Tashir, Stepanavan.

In 2019, the Ministry of Health for the first time introduced a new project in air ambulance service in cooperation with Armenian Helicopters LLC.

Hospitals and Medical Centers in Armenia

As of 2018, there are 102 hospitals in Armenia, out of which, 44 are located in the capital city of Yerevan. For a list of most of Yerevan’s institutions, click here. For the full list, please click here.

Note that the price list for each medical center differs greatly. When insurance companies get ready to pay your bills, they will use their own checklist of what the average cost is in Armenia. A surgery might cost 700,000 AMD in one hospital and upwards of 2 million in another. You will have to shop around, find the right place for the right price, and possibly be ready to co-pay if the hospital you want is not included on the list of hospitals the insurance company directly works with. That list grows by the year, so do not worry. Chances are that you will be covered. 

A website that comes in very handy for many when it comes to finding hospitals or even doctors is doctors.am. Use it to your advantage. Also, please ask in the Armenian Repatriates Network for recommendations. Chances are that someone else has needed a particular doctor before. 

All hospitals/medical centers in Armenia are either private or semi-private. Most have doctors that at least speak a little English. Some are considered more repat/expat-friendly than others. When it comes to medical care, the top private hospitals with more Western-style facilities are considered to be: 

• Wigmore Medical Clinic

• Nairi Medical Center (insurances love working with Nairi)

• Maple Leafs Armenian-Canadian Medical Clinic

• Armenian-American Wellness Center

• SlavMed Medical Clinic

• Astghik Medical Center

It should be noted that while it was once necessary to pay off your nurses and doctors for hospital treatment, this is now against the law and all payments must go to the payment kiosk. You may, however, discreetly slip some of the staff presents and envelopes with money, if you so desire. It will not affect the service provided. If it does, please sound the alarm immediately. 

Specialized Hospitals

Some of Armenia’s hospitals, especially in the capital of Yerevan, have certain specializations. These include:

• Nork-Marash Medical Center of Cardiology and Heart Surgery

• Antituberculosis Dispensary

• Urban Endocrine Dispensary

Polyclinics in Armenia

There are a myriad of polyclinics in Armenia, as mentioned in the quick info section above. Appendix 1 has all the polyclinics and their addresses for you to be able to find your nearest one. Polyclinics are important for every citizen as it provides a family doctor nearest to home. Easy and convenient, you will need your polyclinic to get tests done or simply talk to your doctor. You can call and schedule an appointment or even walk in whenever needed. The clinic has different cabinets for each type of practitioner or screening. Every Polyclinic covers different services. However, many of them generally provide the same services. Services such as oncological, obstetric-gynecological, therapeutic, and pediatric services are not available at all polyclinics. When a child is born in Armenia, parents are automatically directed to the polyclinic that will be serving their needs. All children with Armenian citizenship are eligible to receive free medical treatment. 

Note: If a polyclinic doesn’t have a specific service, they will write up a document called an ughekir for you to take to a specific hospital or polyclinic that is equipped to do the tests or offer the treatment. This is also the case for children’s dentists, specifying locations. 

To register for a polyclinic, the first step is to figure out the closest to your residence. Once you’ve determined the polyclinic you would like to register at, you have to visit it with your passport and social security card. From there, you will sign a contract that deems you one of their patients.

Dental and Eye Care

Armenia has already developed into a bit of a hub for dental tourism. That’s a great thing, especially with so many dentistry clinics gearing their products for foreigners. It costs less for one to fly in from North America or Europe, get their procedures done, and fly back home than it would, for example, to have a root canal or two booked in their countries of residence. Check available dental clinics here.

When it comes to eye care, there is no shortage of professionals, either, with many correction surgeries having been performed for decades now at affordable pricing. The most common eye diseases in Armenia are cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma, and corneal disorders. Eye care centers are included in most hospitals, and the Armenian Eye Care Project has been instrumental in providing treatment to adults and children alike.

You should know that optician's shops only check visual acuity (both with the help of Shellen chart and autorefractor). This check is free of charge in case you purchase contacts or glasses. Other eye exams are done in Yerevan clinics like Nairi, Wigmore, etc. There is also a separate ophthalmological center which provides a wide range of professional services in eye care.

Free Medical Treatment Eligibility

Certain members of society are eligible for free medical treatment in accordance with the law. It is recommended that you check in your specific case with the Ministry of Health, just to be sure. 

1. Beneficiaries included in the system of family allowance with the rates of neediness of 30.01 points and higher

2. Invalids of 1st and 2nd groups

3. Invalids of 3rd group (under 18)

4. Children under 18

5. Participants of the great Patriotic War and persons equal to them

6. Women of childbearing age: pregnancy, prenatal/postnatal care

7. Adults without parental care (18-23)

8. Those with direction for additional medical examinations given by state eligible medical and social bodies

9. Individuals of conscription age

10. Military men and the members of their families; family members of those fallen during the defence of the RA and while doing their duties.

11. Employees of rescue services and members of their families, retired rescuers, disabled rescuers, members of the families of the rescuers died during their service.

12. Arrested and convinced people

13. Those who live in orphanages and retirement homes

14. Repressed peoples according to law

15. Participants in activities to eliminate Chernobyl accident consequences

16. People who’ve suffered trafficking

17. Refugees and members of their families

18. People who retired from military service as a result of injuries, diseases but are not considered disabled (within the frames of rehabilitation programs by eligible state bodies).

Those eligible for free treatment are also eligible for free medication, provided by their registered polyclinics, should it be in stock. Children under 18 are also provided with many of the meds required, should the polyclinic be stocked with what he or she needs. 

Those eligible can receive such medical care as:

• Arthroscopic surgery

• Surgery for bone injuries, including metal constructions

• Stone removal

• Prostate surgery

• Scleroplasty and keratoplasty (corneal transplant)

Medical Insurance in Armenia

As mentioned in the beginning, Repat Armenia has its own medical insurance brokered through Nairi Insurance. As insurance is not a normal part of people’s lives here, many types do not even exist, and most that are available are not desired by the local populace. The most commonly used insurance is auto, simply because it is made mandatory by the law. When it comes to medical insurance, Armenia has multiple providers but few individual packages. The ones that are available for individuals to apply to on their own are expensive for low coverage. As the job market becomes more competitive, medical insurance benefits are added to the list of provisions the companies guarantee in order to keep their top employees. Most who consider adding this option are large and can afford to broker a good deal for their employees. 

• Pros: A good insurance package means paying a small amount from the start to protect you from paying a large amount in the future. $250 at the start could save you $2500. 

• Cons: Not everything is included in the insurance package and you might have to pay from your own pocket at times. Make sure the one you have doesn’t cut corners. 

Note: EU citizens are entitled to free public medical and some dental care in Armenia due to reciprocal arrangements. If one wishes for better service and more modern facilities, however, they’d have to pay extra at one of the Western-style hospitals/clinics dotting the capital city.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Childbirth in Armenia is free. However, there are certain payments to be made before that last stage. Cesarean section is also free if required by your supervising doctor. If it is a planned C-section, you will have to pay. Normally, a 60,000 AMD payment at the start of your pregnancy at a given institution will cover all the basic needs, from blood tests to regular ultrasounds. This will be covered in full if you opt in to our medical insurance before pregnancy.  

Note: When one comes across the words “regional office,” it refers to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs regional (agency for social assistance) offices, see the list in Appendix 2. 

Note: ID documents include: citizenship (including in the case of dual citizenship), residency status documents, refugee documents. 

Note: Not all banks work with the MoLSA. A list of banks that do, include: 

• Acba-Credit Agricole Bank (Child care benefit, maternity allowance)

• Araratbank (Child care benefit)

• Armbusinessbank (Funeral benefits)

• Artsakhbank (Pension fund operator)

• Conversebank (pension, state support, social package, special accounts)

• Inecobank (pension and social accounts)

• VTBank (One-time allowances)

The government provides a one-time amount of 156,000 AMD as of January 1, 2020, to all non-working pregnant women from the 210th day. This helps get ready for the birth of the child and replaces the maternity leave working mothers would receive (which is much higher). 

Note: Those eligible for motherhood benefits from the government include: citizens, dual citizens, and refugees with registration of residency (grandzoum). Non-citizens who have worked a minimum of one year in a given institution and who have had at least three years of grandzoum are also eligible. 

Maternity leave in Armenia is split into two parts: days before your due date and days after. This is to ensure you are covered should you have a preterm baby. As such, you are entitled to a minimum of half and up to full pay maternity leave, provided by your employer, for:

• 140 days (70 days before and 70 days after your due date) 

• 155 days (70 days before and 85 days after your due date) in case you have a hard delivery, as documented by your doctor

• 180 days (70 days before and 110 days after your due date) in case of multiple births

The hospital will provide you with a single page document for the regular births, and add secondary documents for the second and third cases, adding the additional 15 and 40 days to your maternity leave benefits. During your maternity leave, an employer cannot fire you or change your work contract. If you are a sole entrepreneur, you will have to check with the Ministry of Social Affairs about what you are entitled to receive. Note: You can calculate the amount you will receive on https://impress.am/calc/tools/disablement_new/index.php.