National Health Insurance Company initiates mass legal action for unpaid 2025 premiums
The National Health Insurance Company (CNAM) has initiated legal proceedings against approximately 1,500 individuals. These citizens failed to purchase mandatory health insurance premiums in 2025, as required by Moldovan law.
The decision follows a period of non-compliance where debtors ignored late fees. Currently, CNAM applies a penalty of 0.1% for each day of delay on the outstanding balance.
Significant financial penalties enforced
One Chisinau family opted to pay over €918 (approx. 18,000 MDL) in premiums and fines to avoid trial. They received a notification at the end of 2025 regarding the uninsured status of a foreign family member.
"We didn't think it was fair, but we paid to avoid protracted legal proceedings," Maria Stropșa told national broadcasters. CNAM maintains that lawsuits are a last-resort legal measure to recover debts to the public health fund.
Revenue structure and fiscal sustainability
In 2025, approximately 147,679 individuals insured themselves individually. These payments generated €18.5 million (364 million MDL), accounting for roughly 2% of the total health fund revenue.
The total healthcare budget reached nearly €893 million (17.5 billion MDL) last year. The primary funding sources remain salary-based contributions (9% per employee) and direct state budget transfers.
Strict 2026 regulations for professionals
The fixed health insurance premium remains €645 (12,636 MDL) for 2026. However, several categories of professionals have lost the significant discounts previously available.
Notaries, lawyers, bailiffs, and independent medical practitioners must now pay the full premium. This marks a shift from the subsidized rates they enjoyed until last year.
Deadlines and reduced penalties
Vulnerable groups and certain landowners can still access a reduced rate of €129 (2,527 MDL) if they pay before March 31. This represents an 80% discount on the standard annual fee.
From January 2026, the daily penalty for late payments has been adjusted. It is now calculated at 0.0301% per day, following a formula established in the Fiscal Code.
CNAM reiterated its legal obligation to collect these funds uniformly. The institution holds a three-year window to pursue outstanding healthcare debts through the judicial system.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
