Russia boosts medical care for combat veterans with new state program
Russia boosts medical care for combat veterans with new state program
Russia boosts medical care for combat veterans with new state program
Our website, March 30 – The procedure for providing medical care to combat veterans is outlined in a special section of the State Guarantees Program for free medical assistance to citizens in 2026 and the planning period of 2027–2028. First and foremost, participants in the special military operation (SMO) always receive medical care on a priority basis, regardless of the type or form of assistance required.
Experts from the SOGAZ-Med health insurance company explain what specific benefits this category of citizens is entitled to under the mandatory health insurance (MHI) system.
Outpatient Medical Care for Combat Veterans
Igor Balanin, Chairman of the Federal Fund for Mandatory Medical Insurance (FFOMS), discussed how medical care is organized: "We work directly with the State Fund for Supporting Participants in the Special Military Operation, 'Defenders of the Fatherland.' With the veteran's consent, the fund provides the Territorial Mandatory Medical Insurance Fund (TFOMS) in their region with details on their location, contact information, any health limitations that may hinder independent visits to medical facilities, and other relevant health data. The TFOMS then identifies the medical institution chosen by the SMO participant for primary care, forwards the information received from 'Defenders of the Fatherland,' and assigns a dedicated medical professional to coordinate priority access to primary care."
If a veteran is unable to visit a medical facility due to health reasons, a mobile medical team equipped with the necessary diagnostic tools will be dispatched to their home.
A specialist consultation must be provided within one working day of the veteran's request to the medical institution.
For veterans residing in remote areas who require continuous monitoring by specialized medical professionals, telemedicine technologies may be used to facilitate ongoing care.
Health Assessment
To evaluate an SMO participant's health, identify chronic conditions, assess risk factors, determine their health classification, and prescribe treatment, their chosen medical facility conducts a two-stage medical examination. All necessary procedures must be organized within one month of receiving the veteran's data and completed in a single working day.
If additional tests or specialist consultations cannot be conducted on the first day of the examination, they must be scheduled within the following timeframe:
Key deadlines for follow-up medical examinations: - 3 business days after the initial screening for residents of urban areas; - 10 business days after the initial screening for those living in rural areas (urban-type settlements, workers' settlements) or remote localities.
Medical organizations may allocate fixed times and dates for participants in the special military operation to undergo medical examinations and follow-up care.
If a participant requires social services, regional social protection agencies will be notified to arrange them.
For any issues related to mandatory health insurance—such as denial of medical care, delays in diagnostic procedures, or demands for payment—policyholders should contact their insurance provider through any convenient channel.
"A variety of communication channels significantly improves accessibility for assistance and protecting the rights of insured individuals. For convenience, SOGAZ-Med offers a 24/7 hotline at 8 800 100 07 02, an online chat on the website sogaz-med.ru, and a mobile app, SOGAZ MHI. Our website also features up-to-date information on dedicated pages:'Medical Care for SVO Veterans'and'Medical Rehabilitation,'" saysDmitry Tolstov*, CEO of SOGAZ-Med Insurance Company.