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The total number of registered and approved electronic protocols for expensive home treatment exceeded 130 000, with more than 103 000 e-prescriptions issued based on them. This was commented by the Minister of e-Government Alexander Yolovski. "In less than 6 months since Information Services put into operation he electronic issuance of "Protocol for prescription of medicinal products paid by the National Health Insurance Fund/Regional Health Insurance Funds (NHIF/RHIF)", the data show very good results," he stated.
The e-protocols replace the paper protocols used until recently for issuing medicines for expensive home treatment, which were certified by the National and regional health insurance funds. Since the beginning of July 2023, when the NHIF and the Regional Health Insurance Funds began to accept only electronic protocols for expensive home treatment, over 37,000 documents have been registered.
"The introduction of the electronic protocols significantly relieves more than 280,000 patients", Minister Yolovski said. According to him, the digitalization of the process removes the obligation for insured persons to visit the Regional Health Insurance Fund (RHIF) and submit medical documentation for protocol certification. This is a huge relief for patients, some of whom are difficult to move, saving them considerable money and time. Currently, the validation of e-protocols takes less than 1 day. On the other hand, the obligation for patients to provide a paper document at the pharmacy when receiving their prescribed medications has also been dropped.
The introduction of electronic protocols also multiplies the control by the NHIF over the expenditure of funds for expensive home treatment, which leads to more detailed planning, forecasting and management of resources. The digitalization of processes significantly improves the quality of healthcare services in Bulgaria.