Insured patients in Romania will be able to request, free of charge, a second medical opinion. Parliament passed a law on Wednesday, February 11, that forces the health system to bear the costs of a new consultation, designed to provide more certainty in diagnosis and treatment.
According to the new regulation, the attending physician will have the obligation to direct and schedule the patient to the next consultation or investigation necessary to establish the diagnosis.
“The patient has the right to be directed and scheduled to the next consultation or investigation necessary to establish the diagnosis, through a mechanism created at the level of the medical unit where the consultation was carried out. All insured persons have the right to a second medical consultation, paid for by the medical insurance system, in order to obtain a second medical opinion, based on the existing investigations or those additionally requested, if this is justified”it is stated in the text of the legislative initiative.
The new law aims to give patients more certainty in establishing the diagnosis and therapeutic plan, as well as a clearer and more coherent medical pathway.
The draft law was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies with 284 votes “for”, one vote “against”, one abstention and three deputies who did not vote.
After the adoption in the Parliament, the law is to be sent for promulgation to the President of Romania.
