When Are You Eligible for a New Assistive Device or NHIF-Funded Repair?
Assistive devices provided through the Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) have a defined useful life. After it expires, a person may apply for a new assistive device if the medical need still exists.
For some devices, the NHIF may also cover certain repair work within the useful-life period. This can include a major repair, replacement of tires and bearings, or replacement of batteries.
In this article we look at the timeframes for wheelchairs, combined toilet and shower chairs, anti-decubitus mattresses, and cushions.
The information follows the NHIF's 2026 list-specification, in effect from 1 March 2026.
Expiry of the useful life does not mean automatic approval
After the useful-life period expires, you can apply again, but a new assistive device is not provided automatically.
Usually the following is required:
- the medical need must still exist;
- the person must meet the current medical conditions;
- a new electronic protocol or decision from the LKK, TELK, or NELK must be issued;
- the application must be approved by the NHIF or the relevant RHIF.
When reapplying, the medical commission assesses what assistive device the person currently needs. Therefore, the new prescription is not necessarily for the same model or the same type of device.
Related article
Who is eligible for assistive devices through the NHIF?
Learn how eligibility for an assistive device is determined and when a protocol from the LKK, TELK, or NELK is required.
Timeframes for a new assistive device and repair
| Assistive device | Useful life | Repairs covered |
|---|---|---|
| Manual wheelchair | 4 years | One major repair and a set of tires and bearings every 2 years |
| Electric wheelchair | 6 years | One major repair, tires and bearings every 2 years, and batteries every 3 years |
| Children's wheelchair | 3 years | One major repair and a set of tires and bearings every 2 years |
| Combined chair for adults | 6 years | One major repair and a set of tires and bearings every 2 years |
| Combined chair for children | 3 years | One major repair and a set of tires and bearings every 2 years |
| Anti-decubitus cushion | 3 years | No major repair provided |
| Anti-decubitus mattress | 3 years | No major repair provided |
| Mattress with pump and air cells | 3 years | No major repair provided |
Manual wheelchairs
A manual wheelchair for adults has a useful life of 4 years.
Within this period, one major repair may be approved. There is also the option of receiving a set of tires and bearings once every 2 years.
After the four-year period expires, you can apply for a new assistive device if the medical need still exists.
Electric wheelchairs
An electric wheelchair has a useful life of 6 years.
Within this period, the following may be approved:
- one major repair;
- a set of tires and bearings once every 2 years;
- a set of batteries once every 3 years.
After the six-year period expires, you can apply again. Eligibility depends on the specific medical condition and on the assessment of whether the person is physically and mentally able to operate such a wheelchair.
Children's wheelchairs
In the official specification, children's wheelchairs are divided into separate subgroups according to how they are used and the medical indications. For simplicity, here we treat them collectively as children's wheelchairs.
Their useful life is 3 years. Within this period, one major repair may be approved, as well as a set of tires and bearings once every 2 years.
Under certain conditions, a children's wheelchair may also be prescribed for a person over 18 years of age of short stature, when the use of a suitable adult wheelchair is not possible.
Combined toilet and shower chairs
A combined toilet and shower chair may be prescribed in cases of partial or complete paralysis of the lower limbs or other impairments that prevent independent mobility.
The useful life is:
- 6 years for adults;
- 3 years for children up to 18 years of age.
Within the respective period, one major repair and a set of tires and bearings once every 2 years may be approved.
Anti-decubitus mattresses and cushions
The useful life is 3 years for:
- anti-decubitus cushions;
- standard anti-decubitus mattresses;
- anti-decubitus mattresses with a pump and air cells.
These devices are prescribed for certain severe neurological and other conditions accompanied by significantly limited mobility, prolonged bed confinement, or other conditions included in the NHIF's medical conditions.
Bed confinement alone does not automatically entitle a person to an anti-decubitus device. The condition must meet the medical conditions and diagnoses in the specification and must be certified by the LKK, TELK, or NELK.
After the three-year period expires, you can apply again. No major repair is provided for anti-decubitus mattresses and cushions.
When can the NHIF cover a repair?
A repair can be covered only when the respective work is included in the current specification and has been pre-approved by the RHIF.
Typically, the following is checked:
- whether the device was provided through the NHIF;
- whether its warranty period has expired;
- whether it is still within its useful-life period;
- whether the repair is technically necessary;
- whether the work is included in the specification;
- whether the entitlement for the respective repair or period has already been used.
NHIF-funded repairs are carried out after the warranty has expired and within the useful-life period. Do not begin a repair before receiving the required approval.
Related article
Wheelchair repair through the NHIF
See which repairs can be approved, how to submit an application, and how the process works.
How to apply for a new assistive device?
- Issuing a medical document: the LKK, TELK, or NELK establishes the medical need and issues an electronic protocol or decision.
- Review of the application: the electronic application is reviewed by an expert commission of the NHIF or RHIF.
- Receiving a decision: an approval or a reasoned refusal is issued. The review period is up to 7 days from the receipt of the application.
- Choosing a supplier: after approval, the person can choose a supplier with a contract with the NHIF for the respective assistive device.
The choice of supplier is not restricted by region. You are not obliged to obtain the device from a company in your area or from the supplier who provided the previous assistive device.
Prepare for your application
NHIF procedure and required documents
See the application steps in detail and check which documents are typically required.
How to apply for a repair?
The person with a disability, or their authorized representative, submits an application for repair work to the director of the respective RHIF.
An expert commission checks whether the requested repair meets the conditions in the current specification. After review, the director of the RHIF issues an approval or a reasoned refusal.
Upon approval, the person can choose a supplier or service center with a contract with the NHIF for the respective repair work. This does not have to be the company that originally provided the assistive device.
Detailed guide
Do you need a wheelchair repair through the NHIF?
Learn what repair work can be approved, how to submit an application, and how the repair of a manual or electric wheelchair through the NHIF is carried out.
Can a new device be obtained before the period expires?
Under the standard reapplication process, the defined useful-life period is followed.
If the health condition has changed significantly and the device in use no longer meets the medical needs, the case must be reviewed individually by the competent medical commission and the RHIF.
Damage alone does not automatically entitle a person to a new assistive device. The possibility of warranty service or repair through the NHIF must be checked first.
How can ANGELO help you?
ANGELO has a contract with the NHIF for the provision and repair of assistive devices and has its own service center in Plovdiv.
Our team can help you with:
- information on useful-life periods;
- explaining the procedure;
- choosing a suitable assistive device;
- providing devices approved through the NHIF;
- diagnostics of manual and electric wheelchairs;
- major repairs after approval;
- replacement of tires, bearings, and batteries;
- maintenance and technical servicing.
This information is current as of August 2026 and follows the NHIF's 2026 list-specification. Terms and timeframes are subject to change. The final decision on granting a new assistive device or repair is made by the NHIF/RHIF on a case-by-case basis.
Not sure when you can get a new assistive device or repair through the NHIF?
Contact the ANGELO team for a free initial consultation. We will help you check the useful-life period of your device, explain your options under the current NHIF conditions, and guide you to the right next step.