Health Insurance Fund Director Zlatko Perinski said in an interview with “Republika” that the proposed changes do not undermine the right to sick leave. According to him, they stipulate that medical criteria for extending sick leave will apply after the fifth day, instead of the seventh day.
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Perinski explained that five days do not constitute the maximum duration of sick leave. When the patient’s condition warrants it, they may remain on sick leave for 10, 20, 30 days or even longer.
“The right to sick leave is not being shortened. The primary care physician will continue to have the authority to determine temporary incapacity for work for up to 15 days. When the period exceeds 15 days, the decision, just as before, will be made by the Fund’s medical commission,” Perinski said.
According to him, if the patient’s health condition requires an extension of sick leave after the fifth day, the primary care physician may approve it for up to 15 days, based on the relevant diagnosis or a specialist’s assessment.
The Health Insurance Fund director emphasized that additional examinations will not be required automatically for every patient or every diagnosis. In some cases, the decision will remain at the discretion of the primary care physician, and laboratory tests will not be mandatory.
“I would not want the entire reform to be reduced to a discussion of whether it is seven or five days. The key number is 15, and there is no change on this point,” Perinski stressed.
