Bulgarian Cabinet Caps Doctor Selection Price

Bulgarian patients now have the right to choose a treating doctor or a team for a set price to be covered by NZOK. File photo

The Bulgarian cabinet approved Wednesday the changes to the Decree of Patients' Access to Health Care, the government press center informs.

People, who wish to be treated by a doctor of their choice at medical facilities, will have to pay between BGN 250 and BGN 700 while to select a team they will need between BGN 350 and 950.

Until now, there were no clear rules and the hospitals were able to determine the amount themselves, which for certain cases has reached up to BGN 10 000, according to the Health Ministry data.

The new requirements are mandatory for each hospital for patients with health insurance, whose treatment is covered by the National Health Insurance Fund (NZOK).

The choice of a doctor or a team will be made under the explicit insistence of the patient. Hospitals are asked to publish and display a list with prices for different procedures (called clinical paths in Bulgaria) and the maximum prices.

The Health Ministry is to receive the number of patients, who have decided to choose a doctor or a team every three months. The Executive Agency "Medical Audit" will be in charge of monitoring and controlling the process, while violators will face legal sanctions.

The amounts would be determined through a scale, depending on the price of the treatment procedure.

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