Starting May 20, Ukraine Overhauls Family Doctor Procedures and Referral System

Family Doctors Face New Operational Rules

According to Главком: On May 20, Ukraine will implement major changes to how family doctors operate and how patient referrals are issued. Under the updated requirements, all medical information systems must follow a "one account, one person" policy. This means patients can no longer request referrals over the phone or through a nurse without first seeing their doctor in person. The reforms stem from Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 411, issued on April 25, 2018, and Order No. 138 from the National Health Service of Ukraine, dated March 20, 2026.

Going forward, patients must schedule a separate appointment with their family doctor to obtain a referral. To strengthen cybersecurity, the new technical standards include:

• two-factor authentication;
• automatic account lockout after five failed login attempts;
• the "one user, one device" principle.

All systems must comply with these rules by May 20.

Potential Impact of the New Measures

What is driving these system changes? According to Vladyslav Smirnov, a healthcare expert, the new mandatory requirements "explicitly call for two-factor authentication, automatic lockout after five failed login attempts, the 'one user, one device' rule, and tighter access controls for every action within the system." He notes that from a digital security standpoint, this is a logical step, but for patients, the reality may be different: "People's access to specialists will be significantly narrowed due to artificially created barriers."

Additionally, these changes could lead to longer waiting times for doctor appointments. Smirnov warns that if patients have to wait months to see a specialist, they may turn to private clinics where they can be seen the same day. He believes the reforms may push patients toward paid services, leaving those without sufficient financial resources to navigate these new hurdles.

In 2025, auditors conducted 96 hospital inspections, and only one medical facility was found to have no violations. This underscores that healthcare institutions must now meet specific staffing, equipment, and medication requirements to comply with the new rules. Ultimately, the changes taking effect on May 20 aim to boost cybersecurity but could also significantly affect patient access to medical care.

These healthcare system reforms, rolling out on May 20, reflect the Ukrainian government's drive to enhance cybersecurity in the medical sector. However, making it harder to obtain doctor services may pose new challenges for patients, especially those with limited financial means. It will be crucial to monitor how these adjustments affect the quality and accessibility of healthcare for the population.

As Ukraine's healthcare system undergoes significant changes, it's essential to consider the broader implications of these reforms on medical facilities. Recent findings indicate that many hospitals face funding challenges due to systemic issues. Understanding how these financial strains impact patient care can provide valuable context. For more details on the financial risks faced by hospitals, see the report on systemic problems in hospitals.