More than a third of Russians have started using paid medical services more often.

34.6% of Russians reported that they have been using paid medical services more often in the last one to two years. 28.9% take out loans or borrow money to pay for treatment. The majority (60.9% of respondents) cited difficulties in getting an appointment with the desired doctor as the main problem with free (insurance) healthcare — appointments take too long. These are the results of a survey conducted by the financial online platform Webbankir, in which 1800 people from across Russia participated in May 2024.The vast majority of Russians (81.6%) use paid medical services, with 29.2% doing so regularly and the remaining 52.4% occasionally. Only 18.4% visit doctors solely through compulsory health insurance programs.

Half of the survey participants (50.5%) have visited paid clinics in the past one to two years as they did before. 34.6% are using them more often, while 14.9% are using them less frequently.

When asked “How would you rate the quality of free healthcare over the past two to three years?” the opinions of the respondents were divided. 37.3% noted improvements, though 32.6% believe that the quality has deteriorated. The remaining 30.1% think it has remained the same.

The main problem with state insurance healthcare (respondents could choose multiple answers) was seen by the majority as difficulties in getting an appointment with the desired doctor — having to wait too long for an appointment. 60.9% of respondents reported this issue. 48.2% complained that the necessary services are not provided for free. Other reasons for complaints included the lack of specialized professionals in free medical institutions (39.6% of votes), low qualifications of existing specialists (32.5%), and long queues at medical offices (36.2%). Only 17.7% of respondents pointed out the lack of comfort at free medical facilities.

28.9% of respondents noted the need to pay for paid medical services with credit funds because their own funds are not always sufficient. However, only 6.7% regularly borrow for treatment, while the rest (22.2%) do so occasionally. Additionally, almost the same number (23.9%) admit that they will resort to loans to pay for doctors or medications in the future.