Reform of the Medical and Social Expert Commission: Family doctors will receive new powers regarding the establishment of disability.

The Ukrainian government has decided on a major reform of the medical and social expertise system (MSEC).

This was reported by journalist Iryna Poliakova in her analytical review.

'The need for reform in the system was clearly revealed after the scandal with the prosecutors with disabilities in Khmelnytskyi and other unpleasant stories that became known recently,' notes the expert.

According to the new rules that will come into force in 2025, the assessment of a person's functioning will be conducted in multifunctional hospitals, rather than in MSEC premises. About 300 such medical facilities are planned to be created in the country with an even territorial distribution.

'The assessment of a person's daily functioning will be conducted by medical professionals based in multifunctional hospitals, rather than by separate structures in MSEC,' explains Poliakova.

The procedure for establishing disability will be significantly simplified. A family doctor will be able to refer a patient for a medical assessment without the involvement of the medical advisory commission. Additionally, there will be no need to wait 120 days for a hospital visit—assessment can be done immediately after the diagnosis is made.

One of the important innovations will be the complete digitization of the process. 'All decisions and expert conclusions will be recorded in an electronic system,' emphasizes the journalist. At the same Time, the composition of the expert team will not be permanent but will be formed individually for each patient.

Starting from 2026, the assessment process will be carried out with mandatory video recording. A Center for the Assessment of Functional Status will also be created to verify the validity of experts' decisions and to consider appeals.

Individuals with lifelong disability status will retain all rights and benefits. Those needing a re-examination will have their term extended by six months. The changes do not currently affect children with disabilities - the previous system remains in place for them.