The main purpose of health insurance is to protect people from the costs of medical services in case of illness or accident. Even though under the social health insurance system only employees can benefit from insurance, according to the law, non-working family members can also obtain the same benefits through co-insurance. This means that employees who are insured in the public health system can take them as dependents so that they can also benefit from free medical services in the health insurance system. Who can be co-insured, what are the necessary conditions and documents, as well as other useful information on this topic, you will find in the following article.

1. Who can be co-insured and what documents are required?

Everyone wants to make sure that their family has financial coverage in case of health problems. If you are insured in the public health system, a handy method is to take a family member who has no income as co-insured. According to Health Law no. 25/2006, co-insured status can be obtained by the parents, wife or husband of the insured person. In order to be able to check the quality of the insured, you can do it online, on the website of CNAS or of the health insurance companies.

Therefore, if you are insured, you have the right to support family members as provided by law. Thus, they become co-insured, having access to the same medical services as you. For this purpose, certain documents are required that you must submit to your employer. Find out further which documents are required for health insurance and who you can co-insure.

1.1. Who can benefit from health co-insurance?

Employees who have taxable income and are registered in the public health system can support a family member who becomes co-insured. They must notify the employer of the decision taken and take all the necessary steps, including submitting the documents to the Human Resources department.

Co-insurance is a way in which a person can benefit from health insurance, without paying a contribution, due to the fact that he is dependent on an insured person. Co-insured status can be obtained by the employee’s wife, husband or parents and must cumulatively meet the following conditions:

• be related to the person who has the capacity to be insured;
• not to have own income or income up to 20% of the gross minimum basic salary per country, not to own agricultural and forestry land over 10,000 m2 in hilly and plain areas or over 20,000 m2 in mountainous areas and not be dependent on another person.

Also, for any change that occurs in those declared, the co-insured undertakes to notify the employer as soon as possible.

As for the child, he cannot have the status of co-insured, but that of a dependent person. Children up to the age of 18 and young people aged between 18 and 26, if they continue their studies, are included in the category of people who benefit from insurance, without paying a contribution. Also, this category can also include:

• Students and doctoral students carrying out teaching activities;
• Young people who are up to 26 years old and come from the child protection system;
• Wife, husband and parents who do not have their own income and are dependent on the insured person;
• Pregnant women and women;
• Persons with disabilities;
• Persons with certain conditions included in the national health programs;

Individuals who own agricultural and forestry land with an area of more than 10,000 square meters in hilly or lowland areas, as well as those who own land of more than 20,000 square meters in mountainous areas are not considered dependents.

The co-insurance is valid for the entire period in which the employee is insured in the public health system. If he loses the right to be insured, the co-insured will also lose this quality and the rights that the insurance confers.

1.2. Necessary documents for co-insured

People who are employed, earn taxable income and are registered in the public health system can support other family members. They must notify the employer and submit the necessary documents.

To become co-insured, the following documents are required:

• copies of the identity card, both of the insured and of the person who is to become co-insured.
• declaration by which the co-insured person confirms that he does not have his own income.
• declaration by which the insured person confirms that he/she supports the co-insured.
• the act attesting the kinship relationship.
• the document from which the withholding of the health contribution results (for example, the employee certificate).

2. Co-insured in health – the stages of obtaining this status and the main benefits

When you are insured, you have more peace of mind knowing that you will benefit from financial support in the event of unforeseen situations. In difficult times this is extremely important because it gives you access to the medical services you need. People who have no income and meet all the conditions provided by law also have a solution available, being able to become co-insured. Thus, they will benefit from medical services at the same standards as insured persons. There can be co-insureds in both state and private health insurance, each with its own advantages when you face challenges. The important thing is to be prudent and choose the right plan for your needs and those close to you.

2.1. What medical benefits does a co-insured get?

State health insurance (CASS) is mandatory for any person who is employed with an employment contract. The obligation to declare and pay social contributions rests with the employer who withholds them monthly. The contribution that the insured person pays is 10% of the minimum gross salary in the economy, this giving him access to free medical services. But, in addition to the employed, there are also other people who benefit from these advantages for free through co-insurance.

The great benefit of co-insurance is the fact that people who meet the conditions stipulated by law to become co-insured have access to basic medical services. In addition, they do not have to pay the related monthly contributions, as is the case with a regular employee. On the other hand, employees who have dependents can benefit from personal deductions if they do not exceed a certain salary value. This deduction varies depending on the number of dependents. For minor children, the deduction can be granted to both parents, but for the other categories of persons, it is granted to only one taxpayer.

Among the medical services that the insured and their co-insured can benefit from are:

• Primary medicine services, provided by the family doctor;
• Medical consultations at home;
• Consultations for acute conditions;
• Dental assistance;
• Hospital medical services such as admissions or medical-surgical emergencies;
• Periodic consultations for people with chronic diseases;
• Laboratory analyzes and imaging investigations;
• Emergency medical services when you are on the territory of a European state;
• Other additional medical services.

The medical services that you can access through coinsurance offer a lot of advantages, but they also have some limitations. For example, certain medical specialties are only guaranteed if the family doctor considers it necessary and gives you a referral ticket. Also, many insured people frequently face problems related to the quality of the medical record.

That’s why a private health insurance complements the state one, providing services, treatments and medical investigations quality and access to specialized clinics. Coverage may include:

• outpatient medical services: analyses, consultations, day hospitalization, MRI, medical investigations;
• hospitalization medical services: surgical interventions, imaging, analyzes during hospitalization;
• medical recovery;
• treatment in case of serious diseases.

Private insurance provides access to full medical services in the private system and may also include a co-insured spouse and child between 1 and 18 years of age. Of course, conditions differ from company to company. Because extra protection never hurts when it comes to health, private insurance packages can be tailored to suit your needs and budget. Thus, the whole family can benefit from the best possible treatments, without worrying about expenses. Due to the advantages they have, companies have also started to include such insurances in the benefits package for employees, which have the role of increasing the comfort of employees in terms of health and the financial part.

Another method of protection for you and your family is life insurance which it can help you overcome unforeseen and difficult situations more easily. This may include various risks, such as the risk of death, serious illness or conditions with a high degree of severity, burns, fractures or hospitalization as a result of illness or injury.

2.2. Health co-insurance – how to get it?

The quality of co-insured is registered after the employee who wants to support the husband, wife or parents without income informs the employer about this and provides him with the necessary documents, which will be attached to the personnel file.

The next step is to submit these documents to the authorities. The co-insured status must be declared every month by the employer by completing form 112 – “Declaration regarding the obligations to pay social contributions, income tax and the nominal record of insured persons” in the Co-insured Details section, where their data will be entered (name , first name, CNP and degree of kinship). If the co-insureds do not appear in the records of the Insurance Companies, the proof can be provided by the following supporting documents:

• identity card within its validity period;
• documents confirming the degree of kinship with the insured person;
• declaration on personal responsibility that the co-insured person does not generate income;
• declaration from the insured person that he/she is supporting the spouse or parent who is to be co-insured.

Insurance companies are obliged to take any legal steps within their competence to give the insured access to the basic medical services package by issuing insurance certificates.

Therefore, you can very easily co-insure a family member if he meets the conditions provided by law. Thus, the husband, wife or parent will benefit from the same rights as you and will have access to medical services in the public health system.

Now that you’ve learned more about what coinsurance is and who can be coinsured, it’s time to pay more attention to protection plans for you and your family. Because life has its challenges, it is important not to let unforeseen events take you by surprise and to always be prepared to face less pleasant situations brilliantly. Whether you are insured in the state health system and your spouse is co-insured, or you choose to benefit from extra protection with private insurance, it is always good to have a safety net at all times. Keeping in mind that there are a lot of challenges that you can face, you can choose from different options that are customized and perfectly adapted to your needs. It’s also important to do this early and not wait until you or a family member gets sick.

In conclusion, co-insurance is a way in which people who are insured for health in the public system can support certain family members such as husband, wife or parents, provided that they do not generate their own income. Through such a procedure, they will acquire the status of co-insured, being able to use the same medical services as an insured person. Minors and young people between the ages of 18 and 26 who continue their studies are automatically insured in the health system, without paying any contribution to the state.

Photo source: pexels.com.