VOLUNTARY HEALTH INSURANCE AS A TOOL OF SOCIAL STABILITY IN WAR CONDITIONS

Keywords: voluntary health insurance, social stability, martial law, health care system, insurance services, access to medical care, insurance in times of crisis

Abstract

The article explores the transformation of the voluntary health insurance (VHI) market in Ukraine during the full-scale war, focusing on its increasing importance as both a financial and social safety net. It emphasizes the critical role of VHI in complementing the strained public healthcare system, especially in supporting employees of critical infrastructure, internally displaced persons, volunteers, and humanitarian workers. The study provides a detailed analysis of key market trends, including the inflation-adjusted growth of insurance premiums and claims, the redistribution of risks, and structural shifts in consumer behavior. The authors underline the need to evaluate the development of the VHI market in dynamic terms, with a clear distinction between nominal and real growth figures, in order to understand the genuine expansion of insurance coverage versus inflationary distortions. Furthermore, the paper highlights significant operational and strategic challenges faced by insurers during wartime, such as a reduction in corporate insurance budgets, increasing claims due to injury and stress-related conditions, and the exclusion of war-related risks from coverage. The article also discusses the gradual reconfiguration of insurance portfolios, the shift toward individual digital products, and the growth of demand for telemedicine, mental health support, and rehabilitation services. In this context, the importance of innovation is emphasized—particularly the integration of mobile applications, cloud data storage, AI-driven service models, and flexible product designs tailored to new risk environments. In addition, the study outlines prospects for further development of the VHI sector, including public-private cooperation models, enhancement of the regulatory environment, and the adoption of international best practices for post-war healthcare reconstruction. Special attention is paid to the role of VHI in shaping social resilience, ensuring continued access to medical services, and supporting national recovery through the protection of human capital. Ultimately, the article argues that the war has become a catalyst for the modernization of the Ukrainian insurance sector, reaffirming the strategic value of VHI as an integral component of the national security and public health framework.

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Published
2025-07-08
How to Cite
Izhevskyi, P., & Krushynska, A. (2025). VOLUNTARY HEALTH INSURANCE AS A TOOL OF SOCIAL STABILITY IN WAR CONDITIONS. Sustainable Development of Economy, (3 (54), 440-447. https://doi.org/10.32782/2308-1988/2025-54-66