Patients having the need to be treated abroad will have to pay as much as 200 euros for hospital treatment outside Macedonia. The government at a session has passed the Health Fund's information defining the procedures, mechanisms and finances to implement this measure.

Government's spokesman Aleksandar Gjorgiev told Saturday's press conference that the procedure to secure this right involves patients to cover their medical costs by paying 200 euros (12,000 denars) at the most regardless of the costs of certain medical interventions.

"Patients so far had to pay up to thousands of euros, but as of this year they are required to pay only 200 euros, while the rest will be covered by the state," Gjorgiev stated.

Furthermore, patients who won't be able to be treated in public healthcare, if possible, as of now such as service can be provided by private hospitals in the country.

"Medical treatment in private hospitals will be in line with standards applied abroad in which the same equipment, protocols and staff will be used," the spokesman said.

The Healthcare Fund of Macedonia has signed agreements with most private hospitals in the country.

The government has increased the fund's budget for 2013 and stands at 230 million denars.