InsuoraHow does healthcare work in Russia?
Russia operates a two-tier health insurance system. The first tier is OMS (ОМС — Obligatory Medical Insurance): a free policy automatically issued to all residents of Russia. OMS covers emergency care, hospitalisation, GP and specialist visits at public clinics (with referrals), maternity services, and preventive check-ups.
The second tier is VHI (ДМС — Voluntary Medical Insurance): an optional paid policy that gives access to private clinics, specialist appointments without referrals, faster diagnostics, and more comprehensive dental. Most employer benefits packages include VHI; individuals can also buy it directly.
What OMS covers at no charge
- Emergency and urgent medical care (скорая помощь).
- Outpatient care at your registered clinic (GP visits, referrals to specialists).
- Hospitalisation for acute illness or surgery.
- Childbirth and postnatal care at public maternity hospitals.
- Preventive check-ups (диспансеризация): every 3 years aged 18–39, annually from age 40.
- Vaccinations on the National Immunisation Calendar.
- Льготные лекарства (free/subsidised prescriptions) for disabled persons, veterans, children under 3, and other designated groups.
What OMS does not cover — where VHI helps
- No-queue access: OMS specialist appointments are via GP referral and can have weeks-long wait times; VHI lets you book directly, often same-day.
- Private clinic choice: OMS ties you to your registered district clinic. VHI lets you use modern private clinics.
- Comprehensive dental: OMS covers only emergency dental; VHI adds checkups, fillings, complex restorations, and (in premium plans) implants and orthodontics.
- Advanced diagnostics: MRI, CT, and specialist lab work on demand — not waiting months for a public referral slot.
- Mental health: OMS covers only acute psychiatric episodes at state hospitals; VHI premium plans include private psychotherapy and mental health consultations.
VHI coverage levels explained
- Basic (Базовый)
- Outpatient treatment at selected private clinics, emergency ambulance, and basic dental (pain relief, extraction, simple fillings). No advanced diagnostics or hospitalisation. Suitable for those who want queue-free GP access and basic dental without the full VHI price tag.
- Standard (Стандарт)
- The most popular tier. Includes all specialists without referral (cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, etc.), instrumental diagnostics (MRI, CT, ECG, ultrasound), laboratory tests, extended dental, and typically planned hospitalisation. The right balance for most adults and families.
- Premium (Расширенный)
- Full coverage: dental implants, orthodontics, psychotherapy, annual executive check-up, maternity programme, rehabilitation, and often telemedicine and limited international coverage. For those who want maximum health protection with no compromises.
Corporate VHI vs. individual policies
The majority of VHI in Russia is sold as corporate group plans. Employers can deduct VHI costs from corporate income tax up to 6% of payroll, making it a tax-efficient perk. Group pricing is 15–25% cheaper than individual plans, and group policies typically do not require medical screening (pre-existing conditions are covered).
If your employer does not provide VHI, you can buy an individual policy. Insurers may require a health questionnaire and can add exclusions for existing conditions or charge higher premiums for older applicants (especially over 60).
Frequently asked questions
- Is this calculator free?
- Yes — completely free, no account needed. Everything runs in your browser and nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
- I am a foreigner living in Russia. Am I covered by OMS?
- Legal residents (permanent or temporary residence permit holders) are entitled to an OMS policy. Highly Qualified Specialists (HQS visa holders) and those on work visas can obtain OMS after registration. Tourists, short-stay visitors, and undocumented individuals are not covered and should rely on travel insurance. Expatriates often buy VHI as it provides immediate access to international-standard clinics that have English-speaking staff.
- Can I get VHI if I have pre-existing conditions?
- Under a corporate policy: generally yes, as group plans do not typically conduct individual medical screening. Under an individual policy: the insurer may add exclusions for specific conditions (e.g., covering only unrelated illnesses) or decline the application. Comparing multiple insurers — SOGAZ, Ingosstrakh, AlfaStrakhovanie — is advisable.
- Does VHI work outside my home region?
- Basic and regional policies are typically limited to the city or region where the contract was written. Premium plans from major national insurers (SOGAZ, Ingosstrakh, РЕСО-Гарантия) typically cover all of Russia. International coverage for travel or treatment abroad requires a separate travel insurance (ВЗР) or international health plan.
- I am self-employed (ИП). How does health insurance work for me?
- As a self-employed individual (ИП), you pay a fixed unified social contribution (ЕСВ) that includes an OMS component (total ₽53,658 in 2025, covering pension and OMS together). This maintains your free OMS policy. You can additionally buy individual VHI at full market rates — there is no employer contribution. Under the simplified tax regime (УСН), VHI premiums are not deductible; under the general regime (ОСНО), consult a tax adviser about potential deductibility.