In the Cabinet, a draft law on the liquidation of the MSEC was approved

In the Cabinet, a draft law on the liquidation of the MSEC was approved

Starting from January 1, 2025, expert teams consisting of practicing doctors will replace the Medical and Social Expert Commissions (MSEC).

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a draft law on the liquidation of the Medical and Social Expertise system (MSEC). The Verkhovna Rada is proposed to adopt a law that will abolish the outdated system and instead create a digitized system based on leading hospitals.

This was reported by the Ministry of Health on Friday, November 1.

"We completely share the dissatisfaction with the outdated, unfriendly to people, and largely corrupt MSEC system. It is time to replace it with a new one based on different principles. A person living with functional impairments should receive support from the state that allows them to live normally, work, and be fully integrated into society. This should be done in a convenient and transparent way for the person. The reform of MSEC, enshrined in the draft law, is the first and key stage in implementing this vision," said the Minister of Health, Viktor Lyashko.

Instead of the term "medical and social expertise," the draft law introduces the term "assessment of daily functioning of an individual."

According to the draft law, from January 1, 2025, instead of MSEC, expert teams for assessing daily functioning of individuals, consisting of practicing doctors, will operate. These teams will work in multidisciplinary powerful medical institutions where there are already multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams.

The Ministry of Health assured that these hospitals are equipped with everything necessary for assessment and additional examination and have a sufficient number of specialized professionals on staff, from whom teams can be formed based on the needs of each individual patient. If necessary, the team can conduct assessments not only within the institution but also remotely or on a visit to the patient.

It is noted that the new system will be digitized. The attending doctor will be able to direct the case for assessment electronically, and the results of the assessment will automatically enter the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere for further steps in rehabilitation, work capacity assessment, and, if necessary, the assignment of state benefits.

"Digitization will also prevent corruption and other abuses. For example, doctors will not know the patient’s name until the assessment, and the patient will not know the names of the doctors assessing their functionality. This will eliminate the possibility of prior corrupt agreements, including those that have recently become known," the Ministry of Health notes.

The draft law provides for several additional changes:

• There will be no need for Medical Advisory Commissions (MAC). Attending doctors will be able to refer for assessment, and military personnel will be referred by military medical commissions based on clear criteria through an electronic system.
• During the assessment process, an individual can involve their authorized representative, such as a doctor who can explain the patient’s case.
• It outlines which doctors are entitled to conduct assessments and which are not.
• Mechanisms for appealing team decisions are provided.

The new assessment system will be funded through the National Health Service of Ukraine.

"The draft law developed by the Ministry of Health lays the foundation for assessing daily functioning. The further path of the patient after medical assessment will proceed according to changes that will be implemented in the social, educational, and employment sectors and will provide mechanisms for obtaining necessary services," the institution summarized.