From which day does the 30-day term of the referral start? From the date it is issued or from the next day, what is the practice for all deadlines from a legal point of view? For example, if a referral was issued on June 31st, until what date is it due?
Mikhail Dobrev, city of Pleven
In the National framework contract for medical activities between the National He alth Insurance Fund and the Bulgarian Medical Union for 2020-2022, it is agreed in art. 147, paragraph 5, that Medical direction for medical-diagnostic activities (bl. MOH -NHOC No. 4) is valid for up to 30 calendar days from its issuance. When calculating this term, the day of issuing the medical referral is also counted.
The same principle of calculating the validity periods is also adopted for other types of medical directions, issued according to the order of the mandatory he alth insurance. The goal is to ensure timeliness, adequacy and effectiveness of the patient's treatment, which by accepting the validity period from the day of issuing the medical referral, can be provided on the same day. As a result, within that day, the patient could enjoy his he alth insurance rights and receive an examination at the personal doctor, a consultation with a specialist, undergo the necessary medical tests and, if necessary, go to the hospital.
In view of the above, as well as with a view to facilitating the he alth insured, this option is given - to perform more than one medical activity on the same day.
