The doctor refuses to refer me to the ECOPO – what to do?

To register a disability, the applicant must first contact his family doctor. However, in practice, it is quite common to see that the doctor unjustifiably refuses to issue a referral. If you are faced with a refusal to refer to the EKOPFO, contact a medical lawyer from the Law Firm "Prikhodko and Partners", who will help defend your right to social guarantees and an objective assessment of your health.

How to get a referral for disability?

1. Collection of medical documents and tests. Prepare all test results, hospital discharges, examinations, and specialist conclusions, because the more complete the package of documents, the faster the doctor will be able to assess your condition.
2. Contact a family doctor, who will conduct an examination, analyze the medical history and examination results.
3. Assessment of the condition and approval of the referral. If the family doctor believes that there are grounds for establishing disability, he will issue a referral to the EKOPFO.

After receiving the referral, you will receive a notification of the assessment, where doctors will make a decision on establishing a disability group.

Why does the doctor not provide a referral for the EKOPFO?

Receiving a referral for an assessment of working capacity and disability (EKOPFO) occurs in accordance with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 15.11.2024 No. 1338. The doctor assesses:

• whether the patient has persistent | irreversible health disorders;
• how much the disease affects daily activities and independent living;
• whether additional social | rehabilitation measures are needed.

This rule does not apply to cases of re-assessment when disability has already been established for a certain period. Then the referral is issued only to confirm or review the status.

The doctor's refusal to issue a referral is usually due to two reasons:

1. Lack of medical indications - the patient's condition does not meet the criteria for assessment.
2. The need for additional observation - the disease has not yet caused significant limitations or may improve after treatment and rehabilitation.

Sometimes the refusal may be unlawful. In this case:

• it is worth contacting a lawyer and filing a complaint about the doctor's actions;
• get evaluated by another doctor for re-examination.

The correct registration of a referral to the EKOPFO depends on medical indicators and the legally defined procedure, so it is important to comply with all requirements.

What to do if you disagree with the refusal of a referral?

If the doctor believes that the available data is insufficient to issue a referral, he has the right to refuse with good reason, while explaining to the patient what additional examinations / documents are necessary for further consideration.

If you disagree with the refusal, there are several legal ways to protect your rights:

1. Referring to another doctor. You can undergo a re-examination by another specialist to assess your health and potentially issue a referral.
2. Complaint to the institution administration / Ministry of Health. The patient has the right to leave an official complaint to the management of the medical institution / use the Ministry of Health hotline for re-consideration.

Important! The EKOPFO system is focused on an objective assessment of a person's functional capabilities, and not only on the presence of a diagnosis. If you have significant limitations in your daily activities, you have the right to a fair check of your condition and the issuance of a referral in accordance with the law.

How can a lawyer from the Law Firm "Prikhodko and Partners" help?

Contacting a medical lawyer from the Law Firm "Prikhodko and Partners" allows you to receive professional support at all stages of processing a referral to ECOPFO and protecting the patient's rights.

We offer:

• Analysis of medical documents - the lawyer checks all available medical reports and tests for compliance with ECOPFO criteria to minimize the risk of refusal.
• Preparation of additional examinations - we recommend the necessary medical procedures or consultations with specialists to confirm the state of health.
• We prepare and document in detail all the patient's limitations for submission to the medical commission.
• Consultations on the ECOPFO procedure - we explain all stages of the assessment, the terms of consideration and possible scenarios.
• Legal support during the assessment - if necessary, we provide representation during the work of the expert commission so that your rights are protected at all stages.

You can choose only individual services or order a full range of support, as you prefer. Our company provides high-quality support for obtaining disability, and in case of refusal, helps with an appeal in administrative or judicial proceedings.

You can choose only individual services or order a full range of support, as you prefer. Our company provides high-quality support for obtaining disability, and in case of refusal, helps with an appeal in administrative or judicial proceedings.