Private medical examinations have become significantly more expensive in Hungary
The rate of inflation in Hungary has decreased significantly in recent months; according to data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH), the annual price increase was only 1.3 percent in August. Despite this, the public does not yet feel the slowdown in currency depreciation in their daily expenses, particularly in the area of services.
According to the latest report from Trade magazine, the situation in the private healthcare sector is quite different from the general economic indicators. Fees for private medical consultations have risen much faster than the inflation rate: one must pay nearly four times as much for specialist examinations as the annual inflation rate.
This price increase places a serious burden on those Hungarian families who are forced to use private care due to long waiting lists. According to experts, the price hikes are driven by factors including rising wage costs and increased operating expenses, which private clinics are continuously incorporating into their prices.
Although the rise in prices is slowing down in the economy as a whole, the healthcare services market remains an exception for now. Consequently, patients must continue to dig deeper into their pockets if they wish to access fast and available medical care in the country.