Book (in Estonian): J. Lahe, O.-J. Luik, K. Saluste, M. Merila, Patsiendikindlustus. Kommenteeritud väljaanne (Patient Insurance. Annotated Commentary), ed. M. Kiisler, Tallinn: Juura 2024 (272 pp.). ETIS record (published 2024)
Authors: Janno Lahe, Olavi-Jüri Luik, Kadi Saluste and M. Merila.
About the book
The book is an article-by-article commentary on the Healthcare Provider's Compulsory Liability Insurance Act (tervishoiuteenuse osutaja kohustusliku vastutuskindlustuse seadus, TOKVS), which entered into force on 1 November 2024. It covers the purpose of the act, the scope of the insurance obligation, the insured event, sums insured, exclusions, claims procedure, the conciliation committee, limitation and the link with liability rules under the Law of Obligations Act (võlaõigusseadus, VÕS).
Core idea
TOKVS did not introduce a Nordic-style no-fault patient insurance. It is compulsory liability insurance: compensation requires the provider's liability, but the procedure is simpler, faster and cheaper for the patient. The commentary is relevant for patients, providers, insurers, reinsurers and courts.
What has changed
TOKVS has since been amended: the version in force from 1 October 2026 (RT I, 30.06.2026, 33) changed § 4(5) and § 20(9), so those provisions should be read together with the current text on Riigi Teataja. First-year experience is analysed in Patient insurance in Estonia: lessons from the first year.