Ukraine's Health Ministry Clarifies Two Procedures for Securing a Formal Care Requirement

Establishing the Need for Permanent External Care

According to ХВИЛЯ: On March 12, Ukraine's Ministry of Health (MOH) clarified the two available pathways for formally establishing a person's need for permanent external care. This guidance, highlighted by lawyer Oleksiy Mendrukh on his YouTube channel, involves either Expert Teams for Assessing Daily Functioning (ETADF) or Medical Advisory Commissions (MAC).

Available Pathways

• The first pathway is through Expert Teams for Assessing Daily Functioning (ETADF). These teams operate under Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1338. Comprised of doctors from various specialties, they evaluate an individual's actual functional capabilities.

  The assessment is based on the person's actual functional capabilities, not solely on the presence of a diagnosis or disability group. - Oleksiy Mendrukh

  The ETADF's decision is recorded in an extract from the assessment results.
• The second pathway is through a Medical Advisory Commission (MAC). A MAC issues a conclusion using the new Form 0.84, approved by MOH Order No. 1811 dated November 27, 2025. The validity period of a MAC-issued conclusion aligns with the disability term: it can be indefinite or for the duration of the disability, but for no less than 12 months.

  The MAC assesses not the diagnosis itself, but the actual functional impairments and the person's dependence on assistance from others in daily life. - Oleksiy Mendrukh

  Conclusions issued under previous forms before these changes took effect remain valid for the period they were originally issued.

These changes to the system for assessing care needs represent a significant shift towards a more person-centered approach. For context, this reform is part of broader efforts to modernize Ukraine's social support systems, aligning them more closely with international standards. By focusing on actual functional capacity rather than formal diagnoses alone, the new procedures aim to provide a more accurate reflection of patient needs, potentially improving access to medical services and social support for those requiring external assistance.

Understanding the formal care requirements is crucial for those in need of assistance. For a comprehensive overview of the application process and eligibility criteria for permanent care support in Ukraine, refer to this detailed guide on qualifying for care assistance. This information complements the recent clarifications from the Ministry of Health and can help streamline your path to securing necessary support.