Paid services in hospitals: what they charge for and how it works

From January 1, paid services officially appeared in Ukrainian hospitals. They refer to improved service, such as comfortable wards, improved service and the ability to choose a doctor for scheduled consultations. The Acting Director of the Department of Medical Services of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Yevgeny Gonchar, said this on the air of the telethon, reports UNN.

Gonchar explained that paid services in the field of health care legally existed for a long time, even in 1991. The first resolution regulating this issue was adopted in 1996. According to him, the changes, which came into effect on January 1, revise this resolution with the aim of harmonizing the legislation and clarifying it. Gonchar noted that it is incorrect to say that paid services appeared only now, because they existed before. The main changes consist in the harmonization of legal norms between different normative legal acts.

In addition, he reminded that even earlier a referral from a family doctor was a mandatory condition for receiving free medical care. At the same time, according to him, the legislation provides for cases when such assistance can be provided without a referral. This applies to emergency medical care, consultations of narrow specialists, such as psychiatrists, phthisiologists, narcologists, obstetricians-gynecologists, as well as specialists with whom the patient is undergoing long-term treatment.

What services will be paid?

Gonchar clarified that the state guarantees free medical services included in the Program of Medical Guarantees. Every year, the procedure for its implementation is approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. According to him, services not included in the program can be provided for a fee.

He added that in some cases even services included in the Medical Guarantee Program may be paid. This applies to situations where care is provided without electronic referral, except for specified exceptions. In addition, facilities may offer additional services, such as improved rooms or better service, as well as the ability to choose a doctor for planned specialized care. Gonchar emphasized that, despite this, patients can always receive free assistance within the framework of the Medical Guarantee Program.

How will the price for medical services be formed?

Services that are provided free of charge are defined by the Medical Guarantee Program and approved by the government, Gonchar noted. As for paid services, their cost will be determined by the institutions themselves. He added that institutions will also independently decide whether to introduce paid services, and if so, which ones.

Gonchar noted that the market of medical services is competitive, because, in addition to communal facilities, there are also private ones. This creates conditions for free competition. At the same time, services related to the life and death of patients covered by the Medical Guarantee Program remain free of charge.

He also emphasized that all paid services should be paid in cashless form with the provision of supporting documents.

We will remind

From 2025, mental health support services will become part of the basic package of primary health care.