Social Security Organization, Iran

Social Security Organization (SSO) is a social insurer organization in Iran which provides coverage of wage-earners and salaried workers as well as voluntary coverage of self-employed persons. In 1975, the Social Security Law was approved and the SSO was established. Iran did not legislate in favor of a universal social protection, but in 1996, the Center of the Statistics of Iran estimated that more than 73% of the Iranian population was covered by social security. Membership in the social security system is compulsory for all employees. SSO is a nongovernmental organization and it is solely financed by contributions (with participation of insured (7%), employer (20–23%) and government (3%)). Social protection is extended to the self-employed workers, who voluntarily contribute between 12% and 18% of income depending on the protection sought. SSO provides the following services: • Retirement, disability and death • Unemployment • Old-age • Helplessness, loss of caretaker and social vulnerabilities • Accidents and injuries • Physical, mental and psychic disability • Health care and medical insurance • Protecting mothers especially during the maternity period and child-rearing • Protecting orphan children and unprotected women • Planning particular insurance system for widows, old women and self-dependent women • Poverty and inequity alleviation • Assistance and rescue Health care Services of the (SSO): Under the provision of social security law, health-care services are provided in two ways: 1. Direct System: In this system patients refer to SSO medical and health-care centers which currently incorporate 70 hospitals and 260 clinics, and receive free medical care and medicines. 2. Indirect System: Here the SSO provides medical services to its members through: · Hospitals and clinics belonging to the private and public sectors · University hospitals · Reimbursement the cost of inpatient care and outpatient care