Estonia's 2016 healthcare costs up 6.9 percent on year
Estonia's healthcare costs increased 6.9 percent on year in 2016, while expenses at constant prices decreased 0.6 percent.
At €1,072 per person, Estonia's per capita healthcare costs last year totaled half the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average, the National Institute for Health Development (NIHD) said.
The public sector's share of this total was €811, while households picked up the remaining €243. The public sector added 6.8 percent of resources, or €51 to healthcare, while households increased their healthcare expenses by 5.9 percent, or €14.
The increase in costs was not due as much to an increase in the volume or quality of services, but rather inflation; healthcare costs at constant prices had actually decreased 0.6 percent on year.
Continuing a trend dating back to 2013, households continue to spend the most on dental care, averaging €69 per person per year, followed by prescription drugs at €52 and over-the-counter medicines €39 per person per year. Another €34 on average was spent per person per year on ambulatory and outpatient care.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
Source: BNS
