Greece updates referral system for specialist doctors
The Ministry of Health has issued clarifications regarding changes to the referral system for specialist doctors following the adoption of a new amendment.
Under the previous framework, referrals to specialist physicians could only be issued by a patient’s registered personal doctor. However, the new amendment introduces greater flexibility in cases where access to a personal doctor is not readily available.
According to the revised rules, citizens who face objective difficulty in finding a personal doctor may now обратиться to a general practitioner, family doctor, or internist in order to obtain an initial referral within the system.
Patients will not incur any out-of-pocket costs for visits to doctors within the National Health System or those contracted with the National Organization for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY), provided they have a valid referral issued by a personal doctor, general practitioner, internist, or a designated rural doctor.
The reform aims to strengthen Primary Health Care as the main entry point into the public health system, ensuring more efficient management and increasing the availability of appointments with specialist doctors. Appointments will be booked electronically based on the issued medical referral.
With the activation of the referral system, the process for scheduling appointments is also being modified, as a referral will now be required for electronic booking.
The Ministry noted that patients with chronic conditions will be able to schedule all necessary appointments over a one-year period using a single referral.
It also emphasized that citizens without a personal doctor will continue to have uninterrupted access to Primary Health Care services, including Health Centers, Local Health Units, and regional clinics, where they can obtain referrals free of charge.
According to the Ministry, the amendment addresses practical and operational challenges that emerged during the implementation of the referral system. These include difficulties in accessing personal doctors due to temporary absences, staff shortages, and geographical constraints, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
The updated framework is expected to significantly improve the system’s functionality, ensuring equal and uninterrupted access for all citizens to public healthcare services and providers contracted with EOPYY, even in cases where their registered personal doctor is unavailable.
