The old regulation for mandatory free insurance expired on March 4, which would have affected 26,000 people.

Protection for Ukrainians Fleeing to Austria

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Ukrainians who fled to Austria were protected by a regulation of the federal government. This had now expired, reported the "Krone". Those affected would have been people who do not receive basic security. The ÖGK referred on its website to the possibility of self-insurance.

The claim that the measure had expired because those affected had enough money to insure themselves was rejected by the ÖGK. "The Austrian Health Insurance Fund is obliged to implement the legal provisions for health insurance and merely pointed out the possibility of self-insurance," it said in a statement.

Vienna Health Councillor Hacker "Very Glad"

Minister Schumann had already signed the extension of the insurance for the displaced Ukrainians on Wednesday, according to a statement from her department to the APA. The regulation now runs until May 31, 2025. By then, "an analysis will have been conducted."

The Vienna City Councillor for Health and Social Affairs, Peter Hacker (SPÖ), welcomed the extension. "The unclear situation has led to great uncertainty both in hospitals and among general practitioners and outpatient clinics about whether and how treatments for Ukrainians can continue. I am very glad that this uncertainty has come to an end thanks to the swift action of the Minister," it said in a written statement.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.