VZP to close about a quarter of low-traffic branches and shift staff to larger offices

VZP announced a restructuring that will close about a quarter of its branches, targeting locations with limited opening hours or only one employee, which together processed six percent of client requests. The insurer emphasized that more than seventy percent of branch work can already be completed electronically, and it will transfer staff to larger offices instead of laying them off. VZP’s mobile app currently serves millions of users who submit over a million applications each year.

The plan also includes assigning personal advisers to members, especially chronic patients, to promote preventive care. Financially, the insurer managed a budget of 563 billion crowns this year, with a projected deficit of 12.7 billion crowns after accounting for mandatory redistributions. It expects its cash balance to rise from 8.9 billion crowns at September’s end to about 14 billion crowns by year-end. The upcoming health-insurance plan will feature a significant increase in state-insured payments, pending parliamentary approval.