International cooperation
Cooperation with the Baltic States
In November 2016, the health insurance institutions of the Baltic States signed a trilateral cooperation agreement aimed at fostering trialogue and the exchange of information regarding the development of health insurance. Effective as of 1 January 2017, the agreement is valid for an indefinite period. According to the agreement, the health insurance funds of the Baltic States cooperate in the following priority areas:
- reforms of health insurance systems;
- best practices in allocating health insurance resources;
- management of the register of insured persons;
- principles of contracting and supervision of healthcare providers and pharmacies;
- reimbursement of healthcare services and medicines;
- supervision of healthcare services and pharmacies;
- financing of new technologies;
- other areas of mutual importance.
Under the agreement, representatives of the health insurance funds of the three countries meet at least once a year on a rotating basis and organize joint training sessions for expert groups.
Cooperation with AIM
Association Internationale de la Mutualité (AIM).
As a member of AIM, the International Association of Mutual Benefit Societies, we are able to participate in discussions on European healthcare issues. From the perspective of the Estonian Health Insurance Fund, it is important to support health insurance arrangements in the European Union and internationally that promote the insured person’s responsibility for their health, ensure high-quality and accessible medical care, and maintain financial sustainability in both the medium and long run.
AIM’s objective is to protect people’s right to healthcare services through solidarity-based, non-profit health insurance. The Estonian Health Insurance Fund participates in AIM working groups on:
- European affairs;
- pharmaceuticals and medical devices;
- health promotion and disease prevention;
- long-term care and chronic diseases;
- digital health.
The Estonian Health Insurance Fund also engages in close cooperation at the international level with the World Health Organization and the World Bank. Bilateral partnerships and collaboration with other countries form the basis of our external relations. We provide expertise in building and ensuring the functioning of the health insurance system, while also gathering best practices from other countries regarding the operation of their health insurance systems and technological innovations.
Our closest cooperation partners are the corresponding organizations of neighboring countries (Finland and the Baltic states). The aim of this regular cooperation is the exchange of information on health insurance and legislative changes, issues related to providing services to insured persons living in neighboring countries (including the analysis of possibilities for exchanging health data), sharing of best practices, and implementation of the EU Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.