Starting November 1, 2023, primary care services expanded under a new regulation (Journal of Laws 2023, item 2226). Patients with prediabetes, hyperthyroidism, and chronic kidney disease gain access to coordinated care, including UACR tests, specialist consultations, educational advice, and dietary support.
The Ministry of Health announces the implementation of significant changes to primary healthcare services (PHC) effective November 1, 2023. These updates, outlined in the Regulation of the Minister of Health dated October 9, 2023 (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 2226), aim to expand coordinated care and improve access to diagnostic services for patients across various medical specialties.
The scope of coordinated care is being broadened to include new categories of patients, ensuring that more individuals benefit from timely and comprehensive care. In diabetology, patients with prediabetes will receive enhanced services, while in endocrinology, patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism will have greater access to coordinated care. Additionally, a new area of coordinated care has been established for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic kidney disease. Under this program, patients will have access to:
- Comprehensive medical advice
- UACR diagnostic tests (urine albumin/creatinine ratio)
- Specialist consultations
- Educational and dietary counseling
These measures aim to improve early detection, treatment planning, and long-term disease management.
Primary care physicians will now be authorized to conduct a wider range of diagnostic tests to streamline the care process. Physicians providing night and holiday care services will have the authority to issue referrals for laboratory tests.
Additionally, PCPs can now order an expanded set of allergy tests, expediting the diagnostic process. Patients with suspected allergies will no longer need to wait for specialist referrals, reducing delays in diagnosis and treatment. Should test results return negative, PCPs will have the capacity to promptly investigate alternative causes of symptoms, facilitating a more efficient diagnostic pathway and enhancing treatment effectiveness.
These changes are established under the Regulation of the Minister of Health dated October 9, 2023, concerning guaranteed benefits in primary healthcare (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 2226).
This initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to improving healthcare access, promoting early diagnosis, and enhancing the quality of care provided within the primary healthcare system.
