Starting January 1, MSECs will be replaced by teams of medical practitioners: the government approved the bill
Kyiv • UNN
The Cabinet of Ministers proposes to eliminate the system of medical and social expertise and create a digitalized assessment system. Starting January 1, 2025, expert teams in powerful medical institutions will work instead of MSECs.
The Cabinet of Ministers proposes that the Verkhovna Rada adopt a law that will eliminate the outdated system of medical and social expertise and create a digitalized system for assessing a person's daily functioning based on the most powerful hospitals in a capable network of medical institutions. UNN reports this with reference to the Ministry of Health.
"The government has approved the draft law "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Implementation of the Assessment of the Daily Functioning of a Person", which will allow implementing the decision of the National Security and Defense Council. The document was developed by the Ministry of Health together with patient organizations and experts," the statement said.
It is reported that instead of the concept of "medical and social examination", the draft law introduces the term "assessment of the person's daily functioning"
According to the draft law, starting January 1, 2025, expert teams for assessing a person's daily functioning, consisting of practicing doctors, will start working instead of the MSECs. These teams will work in multidisciplinary powerful medical institutions where multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams already work. These hospitals are equipped with everything necessary for assessment and additional examination and have a sufficient number of specialized specialists on staff to form teams based on the needs of each individual patient. If necessary, the team can conduct the assessment not only in person at the facility, but also in absentia, remotely, or with a visit to the patient.
"The new system will be digitalized. The attending physician will be able to send a case for assessment electronically, and the results of the assessment will automatically be entered into the Unified Social Information System for further steps in rehabilitation, assessment of working capacity and, if necessary, the appointment of state payments. A person will not have to go from office to office and sit in lines, carrying piles of paper certificates," the Ministry of Health informs.
The draft law provides for a number of other necessary changes, in particular:
- There will be no need for medical advisory commissions (MACs). Attending physicians will be able to refer for evaluation, and military personnel will be able to be referred by MCC doctors based on clear criteria using an electronic system.
- The person will be able to involve their authorized representative, such as a doctor, in the assessment process, who will be able to explain the patient's case.
- Defines which doctors are authorized to conduct assessments and which are not.
- Mechanisms for appealing team decisions are provided.
- The new assessment system will be funded through the NHSU.
