Romanian Family Doctors Might Charge Patients For Check-Ups Starting Next Week

„Our plan was to introduce medical examination co-payment for all patients starting Thursday (June 9, e.n), but we have postponed a decision and we’ll try to keep primary healthcare units functional, hoping problems will be solved by next week,” National Association of Family Doctors head Rodica Tanasescu told MEDIAFAX Wednesday.

Doina Mihaila, head of the national federation of family doctors, said patients are unable to obtain discounted medicine and specialist appointments as family doctors have not signed the public healthcare contract on June 1 due to disagreements with the National Health Insurance House (CNAS).

Health Minister Cseke Attila invited family physicians and National Health Insurance House president Lucian Duta to talks Wednesday afternoon.

Family doctors refused to sign the new frame-contract on public healthcare, displeased with the provisions included in the document.

Duta said Tuesday the norms of the new contract state a 10% increase of funds for primary care, while family doctors demanded a 30% increase. He highlighted the state does not have enough funds for a 30% increase, which he deemed impossible considering the current economic context.

He pointed out that the National Health Insurance House has a deficit of about 3 billion lei (about EUR723 million).

Duta said over 2,000 family doctors signed the contract with health insurance houses by Tuesday afternoon. (EUR1=RON4.1544)