New Law Requires Payment for Family Physicians
Family medicine working hours have seen a significant rearrangement with the recent changes made to universal health insurance regulations. The bill, which also covers regulations related to General Health Insurance, has been approved by the General Assembly of the Parliament and has now become law.
A key change in the regulations includes the provision that foreign students will now have access to universal health insurance from the beginning of any academic year, as long as their registration remains valid. However, in order to benefit from this opportunity, foreign students must submit a request within 3 months.
Furthermore, the new law introduces important regulations for family physicians. Under the new provisions, family physicians will now have the option to see patients outside of their regular working hours for a fee. Additionally, they will be able to offer traditional and complementary medicine practices during these extended hours.
To streamline healthcare services and prevent overcrowding in hospitals, a referral system has been implemented. Those seeking secondary or tertiary healthcare services without a referral will be required to make a higher contribution. On the other hand, individuals referred by their family physicians will receive a 50% reduction in their contribution.
Moreover, primary healthcare services provided to foreign nationals will now incur charges, with the generated income being directed towards a revolving fund. Additionally, certain reports requested from family physicians, such as driver’s license reports, will now come with a fee. The fees collected for these reports will also be channeled into the revolving fund.
These changes mark a significant shift in the healthcare landscape, aiming to enhance efficiency, prioritize patient care, and ensure the sustainability of healthcare services for all individuals, including foreign nationals and residents alike.
