148 Financing health care in the European Union
Health care financing in Hungary Health care expenditure
Total expenditure on health as a proportion of GDP has been relatively stable in recent years, at approximately 7% since 1996 (see Fig. A23). However, the share of public spending has fallen significantly from 81% in 1996 to 73% in 2005.
18,000
90.0
16,000
80.0
14,000
70.0
12,000
60.0
10,000
50.0
8,000
40.0
6,000
30.0
4,000
20.0
2,000
10.0
0
Percentage (%)
Fig. A23 Trends in health care expenditure in Hungary, 1996–2005
GDP per capita in US $ (PPP) Public health expenditure as a % of total health expenditure Private health expenditure as a % of total health expenditure Total health expenditure as a % of GDP
0.0 1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Year
Source: WHO 2007b. Notes: GDP: Gross domestic product; PPP: Purchasing power parity.
Coverage and benefits
Entitlement to statutory health benefits is based on citizenship. The statutory system covers over 99% of the population and offers a comprehensive range of benefits. Initially, cost sharing was limited and mainly applied to outpatient prescription pharmaceuticals, with some cost sharing for spa treatment, dental prostheses, long-term care, some hotel services in hospitals, and specialist care obtained without referral. In 2007 cost sharing was introduced for ambulatory care and inpatient care, with higher charges for accessing secondary care without referral. Patients on very low incomes are exempt from paying prescription charges. Informal payments are a deeply rooted and persistent issue in the Hungarian health system.