Healthcare Regulations

Romanian authorities are weighing measures to make the public healthcare system more efficient.

Corina Cristea, 18.02.2014, 13:29

A number of projects launched at the end of 2013 are designed to change the Romanian healthcare system, and the Ministry plans that this year should be the year of healthcare reforms. These measures include the design of a package of basic services and of a minimal package, which will soon become operational. The basic package will be available for insured citizens, while the minimal package will be benefiting non-insured individuals.

The latter package includes emergency services, screenings and identification of certain diseases, pregnancy monitoring, family planning services, prevention and support activities. According to data from the National Health Insurance Agency, out of a total 20 million citizens, only 2 million lack a public healthcare insurance.

The number of health checks will be limited, even for insured patients, who, in addition, will have to pay for some of the services that are currently free of charge, or will be included on waiting lists for conditions that are not deemed to be an emergency. In exchange, a number of dental interventions will be free of charge.

This is also the year when the lists of free and subsidized drugs will be updated, after six years. The Healthcare Ministry launched a public debate on the new list, open until the end of March. There will be a total of 1,320 pharmaceuticals, signaled through their international non-proprietary names. Of these, 140 contain new molecules or are pharmaceuticals whose therapeutic indication has been broadened to include new conditions.

For the national programmes, 300 active substances have been included, of which one-third for oncology programmes. Diabetes, heart conditions, psychiatric disorders, chronic hepatitis and rare diseases are also covered by national healthcare programmes. Also this year, Romanians are due to receive their healthcare card, and starting next January at the latest, the services they receive will only be refunded based on this document. A new law on medical malpractice will also bring important changes, in that it will simplify and shorten the relevant procedures.