Romania Amends Norms On Health Insurance Contributions

CNAS president Vasile Ciurchea said computer programmers currently pay their contribution to the social health insurance budget in ratio with the minimum wage per economy, regardless of their incomes, stressing the draft order, which was launched for public debate, obliges them to pay their contribution depending on their income.

Ciurchea added the people with disabilities who obtain incomes from various activities will pay their contribution to the National Sole Fund of Social Health Insurances, stressing those who live ”on disability aid" will not pay any contribution to the fund.

Another amendment targets pensioners’ contribution to the health insurance fund, therefore, pensioners whose pensions are lower than 1,000 lei (EUR1-RON3.6066) and obtain additional incomes from dividends, intellectual property right or rents, will not pay any contribution.

However, pensioners whose pensions exceed RON1,000 will pay their contribution to the health insurance fund, namely the sum exceeding RON1,000.

Ciurchea said pensioners whose pensions top RON1.000 and obtain additional incomes have been compelled so far to pay their contribution to the sole fund twice.

The draft order also stipulates the contribution to the health insurance fund for pensioners with pensions lower than RON1,000 will be paid from the state budget, as of Jan 2009.