The Ministry of Health has approved plans to revise the pricing system for medical services offered by public agencies affiliated with Egypt’s national health insurance system, according to an official in the Ministry of Health who spoke to Al Manassa on condition of anonymity.
The decision, signed off by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, allows the General Authority for Health Insurance to begin adjusting service prices at state-run facilities, including the Therapeutic Institution and the Specialized Medical Centers Secretariat.
The official said the authority is coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to incorporate the revised rates into Egypt's 2025-26 draft budget. Implementation will begin with the new fiscal year in July.
The source justified the price update by pointing out that state-run providers still operate under a 2017 pricing list, despite ongoing increases in the cost of inputs like medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, energy, and staff wages.
“Clinging to outdated rates threatens the sustainability of service delivery,” the official said. “This revision aims to achieve financial balance and ensure continued access to care without burdening patients.”
The ministry emphasized that patients would not face any new charges as a result of the change. Instead, the updated pricing is intended to support the viability of public service providers while maintaining free treatment for eligible groups under the law.
Egypt's Universal Health Insurance Law, passed in 2018, mandates that the state covers insurance costs for low-income citizens. Eligibility is determined through a decree issued by the prime minister.
The Health Insurance Authority is currently finalizing a new pricing structure that reflects the true cost of services across its partner institutions. The changes are part of a broader reform package aimed at improving efficiency and modernizing contract terms.
In 2023, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued a decree capping state-paid insurance contributions to cover the poorest 30% of Egyptians. This marked a departure from the earlier policy of covering all low-income residents under the 2018 law.
