NSZU Records Decrease in Contracting Private Clinics for Participation in PMG
The National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU) has reported a significant decrease in the number of private medical institutions participating in the Primary Medical Guarantee (PMG) for the year 2026, with 770 proposals submitted, of which 146 were rejected.
As part of the contracting campaign for the year 2026, the National Health Service of Ukraine (NSZU) received a total of 770 proposals from private clinics. Out of these, 146 proposals, representing 19%, were rejected. This indicates a decline in the number of private medical facilities participating in the PMG compared to previous years.
According to a statement from the NSZU, during the 2026 contracting campaign, private healthcare institutions submitted 770 proposals for contracts covering 34 packages of specialized medical assistance. In accordance with the requirements of the PMG implementation order for 2026, the NSZU rejected 146 proposals, which constitutes 19% of the total submissions, across 17 medical service packages.
In response to an inquiry from the Interfax-Ukraine agency, the NSZU clarified that 74% of the rejected proposals were related to four medical service packages that have direct restrictions on the involvement of private healthcare institutions or require specific conditions for participation in 2026. Additionally, 5% of the rejected proposals were submitted for two service packages that allowed only municipal and state healthcare institutions to participate.
"The remaining proposals were rejected due to non-compliance with the conditions of the respective procurement," the NSZU stated, without providing specific reasons for the non-compliance.
Overall, the NSZU notes that in 2026, there is a decrease in the number of private healthcare facilities and individual entrepreneurs providing specialized medical assistance within the PMG compared to 2025. "This trend is not related to a refusal to contract with the NSZU. It is a result of the implementation of the current order for PMG execution and the updated approaches to forming a viable network of healthcare providers," the service emphasized.
As of April 2, 2026, the NSZU has contracted 476 private medical institutions and 950 individual entrepreneurs (IE) for the provision of primary medical assistance, as well as 221 private institutions and 16 IEs for specialized medical assistance. In 2026, private institutions and IEs in primary medical assistance account for 54% of the total number of providers, while in specialized medical assistance, they represent about 15% of the total number of providers.
It is worth noting that the situation in previous years was different. For instance, in 2021, 226 private clinics and 594 IEs were contracted for primary medical assistance; in 2022, 302 private entities and 680 IEs; in 2023, 386 private institutions and 835 IEs; in 2024, 444 private clinics and 909 IEs; in 2025, 473 private institutions and 963 IEs; and in 2026, 476 private institutions and 950 IEs. Regarding specialized medical assistance, in 2021, 166 private clinics and 38 IEs were contracted; in 2022, 178 private entities and 46 IEs; in 2023, 139 private clinics and 16 IEs; in 2024, 240 private clinics and 46 IEs; in 2025, 264 private institutions and 85 IEs; and in 2026, 221 private institutions and 16 IEs.
The NSZU also noted that "the current order for PMG implementation and the mechanism for applying corrective payment coefficients form a contracting model that ensures comprehensive provision of medical services." In previous years, some private institutions, including IEs, contracted for selective, economically attractive service packages. This allowed them to provide part of the services within the PMG, while accompanying or additional medical services were offered to patients on a paid basis. Currently, the approach ensures the provision of a full cycle of medical assistance within a package, aligning with the principles of continuity of care and transparency in the use of budget funds.
Additionally, the NSZU highlights that the demand from private institutions and IEs for contracts under the outpatient service package remains high. However, "based on the analysis of population needs, the demand for such services is generally met across the country, which is why the contracting of new providers under the respective package is currently limited within the PMG."
The current changes, according to the NSZU, are systemic and aimed at ensuring a balanced network of healthcare providers, continuity of medical assistance for patients, and rational use of budget funds. These changes apply to service providers of all forms of ownership.