How beneficiaries can obtain a referral for free treatment through the DMED system
How beneficiaries can obtain a referral for free treatment through the DMED system
In Uzbekistan, a clear procedure has been established for providing free medical care funded by the state budget in both public and private clinics. The process of issuing referrals for beneficiary categories of citizens has been fully transitioned to an electronic format.
The right to free treatment under a benefit is processed through the DMED information system. The entire process takes place in several consecutive stages.
**Initial examination and assessment**
The patient consults a family doctor at the clinic to which they are attached. The doctor conducts an examination and, if indicated, issues an electronic referral to a specialist at the district or city central clinic. If necessary, the specialist prescribes laboratory and instrumental tests.
**Commission and confirmation of benefit status**
If the patient requires inpatient treatment, the test results and the medical report are entered into the DMED system. The beneficiary status is verified automatically thanks to the integration of state information databases.
After this, the documents are sent to the regional medical selection commission, which determines the level of the clinic — district, regional, or republican. If republican-level care is needed, the documents are forwarded to the central commission via DMED.
**Choice of clinic and electronic queue**
Once the treatment is approved at the republican level, the patient gains the right to choose a medical institution — either public or private — that is included in the DMED registry. The choice can be made independently or with the help of a family doctor.
**Important deadlines:**
30 days — the period within which the patient must choose a clinic in the system and confirm the referral.
Automatic notification — after being placed in the electronic queue and once the appointment date arrives, the clinic itself notifies the patient.
10 days — the period within which the patient must appear at the clinic after the queue is confirmed. If this deadline is missed, the referral is canceled, and the patient will have to join the queue again.
**What is included in free care**
Medicines, expensive medical devices, and other expenses necessary for treatment are covered by the state budget. Any co-payments by the patient are excluded.