Reforming the MSEC: How to obtain a disability group in Lviv region.

How to obtain disability status in Lviv region, what steps a patient needs to take, and which doctor is authorized to submit documents for the MSEC were discussed in an interview with Novini.LIVE by the director of the Lviv Regional State Administration's Health Department, Natalia Litvinska.

How to obtain a disability group

Starting January 1, 2025, a reform of medical and social expertise (MSEC) has been initiated in the Lviv region. As part of these changes, a list of 13 medical institutions has been approved in each district of the region and in Lviv based at the First TMO, where expert teams will operate, says Litvinska.

"Patients can turn to any of the medical institutions, taking into account the profile of the commission and the availability of free spots. This means that the oncology commission will be based at the cancer center, while the cardio-neurology commission will be based at the cardio center. The Lviv district will be divided between the veterans' hospital and the regional clinical hospital," says Litvinska.

Transparency and Digitalization

Expert teams are formed from doctors who are actively engaged in medical practice. All referrals are created exclusively in an electronic system, which minimizes corruption risks and ensures transparency in the process.

"Previously, family doctors prepared documents for MSEC, but now a narrow specialist acts as the treating physician, and in certain cases, a family doctor may also be involved. This means that a narrow specialist, the chairman of the VVК, and the treating physician can direct a patient to MSEC. However, in most cases, it should be a narrow specialist. For instance, if it’s trauma, it should be a traumatologist; if it’s cardiology, a cardiologist; and so on," notes the department head.

According to Litvinska, the treating physician (narrow specialist) prepares an electronic referral to the medical commission. They submit the patient's documents, which must be current (up to 4 months old), and the commission reviews them within 30 days. If the documentation is improperly completed, the package is returned for revision within 5 days.

"Patients are then informed of the commission's decision. This may be communicated via email or by registered mail. If the patient disagrees with the decision, they have the right to appeal it to the Research Institute in Dnipro, designated by the Ministry of Health as the expert center. The complaint can be submitted by the patient themselves or their treating physician," emphasizes the department head.

As a reminder, we previously reported that Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal shared details about the MSEC reform.

We also covered how to appeal the decision of the expert team.