Health insurance in Ukraine in Q1 2026: premiums exceeded UAH 3 billion, payments UAH 2 billion
Voluntary health insurance (VHI) in Ukraine remains one of the dynamic segments of the Ukrainian insurance market, despite the war. In Q1 2026, insurers continued to increase their portfolio of medical contracts due to high demand from employers and individuals seeking to compensate for the increase in the cost of medical services and medicines.
According to Insurance TOP, gross insurance premiums under medical insurance contracts exceeded UAH 3 billion, which provided the segment with one of the largest shares in the risk insurance structure.
VHI is one of the three largest types of voluntary insurance, along with CASCO and property insurance.
The main driver of development remains corporate VHI programs. Most health insurance contracts are concluded by employers for their employees as an element of a social package. VHI is especially actively used by financial sector companies, IT businesses, telecommunications operators, manufacturing enterprises and international corporations.
Due to the shortage of qualified personnel, health insurance is increasingly used as a tool for retaining personnel. For many employers, insurance costs are becoming economically justified compared to the costs of finding and training new employees.
Insurance payments under voluntary health insurance contracts in January-March 2026 exceeded UAH 2 billion. The level of payments traditionally remains one of the highest among all types of insurance and exceeds 60%.
High unprofitability is a characteristic feature of VHI. Unlike property insurance or auto insurance, where an insured event may not occur during the year, under medical policies, clients regularly use medical services. That is why the effectiveness of this segment largely depends on the control of medical expenses and the work of assistance services.
The main items of expenditure remain outpatient treatment, doctor’s consultations, laboratory diagnostics and the purchase of medicines. The greatest burden on insurers is created by diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, endocrine disorders and chronic diseases.
Medical inflation remains an important factor for the market. The cost of medical services and medicines continues to grow faster than the general inflation rate in the economy. This forces insurers to regularly review tariffs and insurance amounts during contract renewals.
At the same time, the role of digital services is increasing. Most large insurers already use mobile applications to make doctor’s appointments, receive electronic referrals, approve medical services and control insurance limits.
This allows for reduced administrative costs and faster customer service.
The travel health insurance segment is also showing recovery. The growth of international travel by Ukrainians is stimulating demand for short-term medical policies for travel to the European Union and other countries. Insurers note that clients are increasingly choosing extended programs that cover not only emergency care, but also additional risks, including flight delays, lost luggage, and emergency dental care.
A separate development direction is related to critical illness insurance. Due to the growing demand for financial protection in the event of oncological, cardiac, and other serious illnesses, insurers are gradually expanding the line of relevant products both in the risk insurance segment and within life insurance programs.
For underwriters, the key challenges remain the growth in the cost of medical services, the increase in the frequency of customer calls, and the need to maintain a balance between the availability of insurance programs and the profitability of the portfolio. Insurers pay special attention to the management of medical networks, control of the validity of prescriptions and the fight against insurance fraud.
As of the end of the first quarter of 2026, voluntary health insurance remains one of the most forecasted areas of the insurance business in Ukraine. The volume of premiums exceeded UAH 3 billion, payments amounted to over UAH 2 billion, and the corporate segment continues to provide the bulk of the growth. In the context of rising prices for medical services and increased attention of the population to their own health, the VHI market retains significant potential for further development.