Reforms to Medical Leave Certificates
Ukraine's Law No. 4683-IX, which reforms the rules for medical certificates (sick leave), will come into force on April 1, 2026. The law, passed on November 5, 2025, amends Articles 27 and 28 of the Law of Ukraine dated September 23, 1999, No. 1105-XIV. Its full title is 'On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine on Mandatory State Social Insurance Regarding the Improvement of the Procedure for Issuance, Extension, and Control over the Justification of Issuing Medical Certificates and Documents that are the Basis for Their Formation'. These reforms are part of ongoing efforts to modernize Ukraine's social insurance framework.
Effective from the implementation date, the verification of the justification for issuing or extending a medical certificate will be conducted by officials of the territorial bodies of the Pension Fund of Ukraine. Only authorized doctors, whose list is approved by a resolution of the Pension Fund's board, may review medical conclusions on temporary disability. The currently valid regulation is the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated March 3, 2023, No. 185.
Appeals Process and Key Provisions
Furthermore, Article 28 of Law No. 4683-IX details the procedure for appealing demands to return benefit payments made based on an unjustified medical conclusion. A significant new provision states that if it is impossible to generate an electronic medical certificate, a paper-based certificate will serve as the valid basis for receiving benefits. These changes aim to refine the control system for issuing medical certificates and ensure greater transparency in this area.
The introduction of these new rules is expected to significantly impact Ukraine's social insurance system. The reforms are designed to reduce instances of abuse and increase accountability for both medical institutions and employees. The verification of medical conclusions by authorized personnel, coupled with a detailed appeals process for payments, represents a step toward a clearer and more transparent procedure. This could positively influence public trust in the social protection system.
As these new regulations come into play, it's essential to understand the broader implications for both medical professionals and patients. Notably, the Pension Fund's new authority to recover funds from doctors over sick leave will likely reshape the landscape of medical certification and accountability in Ukraine.