Karaganda healthcare scandal exposes years of illegal medical overcharging

An investigation in Karaganda has uncovered widespread overcharging for medical care. Women were charged for abortion procedures despite these being fully covered by the OSMS health insurance system. The issue has affected hundreds of patients over several years. Over three years, authorities identified 775 instances of overcharging in the region. These cases amounted to a total of 22 million tenge. More than 700 of these involved double payments for medical services.

The prosecutor’s office intervened to address the problem. As a result, 218 women received refunds totalling 7 million tenge. However, the process of reimbursement continues in Malikhan Bekeykhan District. The investigation revealed systemic billing errors in Karaganda’s healthcare system. Refunds have begun, but many cases remain unresolved. The total financial impact of the overcharging has reached tens of millions of tenge.