NSOPLB: Patients to be Denied Medical Care in Cases of Systemic Violations at Healthcare Facilities

In cases of more than three documented instances of violating the established order in healthcare facilities, medical professionals should have the right to refuse medical care to health-insured patients, unless their condition is life-threatening. This proposal was made by the National Association of General Practitioners in Bulgaria (NSOPLB).

Currently, the National Framework Agreement (NFA) contains a provision stating that “persons who obstruct the provision of medical or dental care or infringe upon the personal and professional dignity of the physician may be denied such care, except in life-threatening conditions.” However, general practitioners insist that a preemptive right to refuse medical care be established for systemic violations.

Among the other proposals by the NSOPLB are the reduction of paper documentation and the elimination of duplicating documents in both paper and electronic formats. The package also includes changes related to recently adopted regulatory amendments—for example, provisions regarding telemedicine.

The Association further proposes the removal of certain provisions in the NFA concerning e-prescriptions, as well as the obligation to transcribe medication protocols onto electronic prescriptions.

View all changes proposed by the NSOPLB here, and read them in the context of the NFA here.