Healthcare System (Croatia)
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Croatia operates under a universal healthcare system, which provides comprehensive health coverage to all its citizens. It is primarily financed through mandatory health insurance contributions, with additional funding from the state budget.
The Croatian healthcare system is managed by the Croatian Health Insurance Fund (CHIF), a public organization responsible for financing healthcare services. The Ministry of Health oversees the healthcare system at the national level and sets policy, while regional management is delegated to the 21 County Health Departments (CHDs).
The population of Croatia receives a wide range of healthcare benefits through the system, including primary care, specialist care, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, dental care, mental health care, rehabilitation services, prescription medications, and emergency medical services. Preventive care, such as vaccinations and screenings, is also covered.
All Croatian citizens and residents are eligible for healthcare benefits, provided they have registered with the CHIF and are up-to-date with their mandatory health insurance contributions. Foreign nationals residing in Croatia may also access the healthcare system if they have the appropriate documentation and insurance coverage.
The National Public Health Information System of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (CIPH) collects data for various registries, including a cancer registry. The Central Health Information System (CEZIH), on the other hand, is managed by CHIF and is used to share standardized health data to support delivery of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare. Click here to learn more.
Croatia has implemented an electronic health record system (EHR) to improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare services. Healthcare providers are required to use the EHR system to record and share patients' medical information, including diagnoses, treatments, and prescriptions. The CHIF maintains a centralized database of claims data and registries, allowing for effective monitoring of healthcare expenditures, utilization, and quality. This data is used for planning, policy development, and evaluation purposes.
