Austria

Healthcare System

The Austrian healthcare system is a combination of statutory health insurance and private healthcare. It is considered a universal healthcare system, where every resident is entitled to healthcare services. The system is overseen by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and is financed by general taxation and publicly financed health expenditures through contributions from employers and employees, with additional subsidies from the government for low-income individuals. The healthcare benefits that the population receives through the system include a range of services, such as preventive care, primary care, specialist care, hospital care, prescription medications, dental care, and rehabilitation. To access healthcare benefits in Austria, individuals must have health insurance, which is mandatory for all residents. Individuals may access any level of the healthcare system with no restrictions, as there is no formal gatekeeping system in place.