Certain categories of patients will no longer need a referral from their family doctor. Find out who will have easier access to consultations.
Some patients will benefit from consultations without needing to make an extra trip to their family doctor. Therefore, they will not need a referral and will be able to schedule appointments more easily.
Patients will no longer require a referral issued by their family doctor.
Patients with chronic conditions are those who will no longer have to visit their family doctor to obtain a referral. This way, they will have easier access to consultations and medical investigations, allowing them to go directly to a specialist.
This measure is outlined in a joint Order from the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance House, published in the Official Monitor. The new rules will come into effect soon.
“To benefit from the services outlined in paragraph (1) letter (a), individuals specified in Article 1 can directly approach the specialist doctor in the clinical outpatient department, without needing to present the referral,” states joint Order no. 525/1.047/2025.
The measure also applies to hospitalization referrals: “To access the services provided in paragraph (1) letters (a) – (r), individuals cited in Article 1 can directly go to the hospital without presenting the admission referral.”
The announcement was also made by a patient rights activist diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Mihăiță Bariz. He believes this is “clear proof that solutions arise when there is will.”
“This is a sensible measure that saves time, energy, and health. This order signifies a necessary change that not only simplifies a process but also expresses respect for the dignity and right to treatment of individuals who are already fighting a tough battle,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Categories of patients eligible for this new measure
Those who will no longer require a referral for consultations and investigations include patients receiving treatment under national health programs managed by the National Health Insurance House. This includes 13 categories:
National program for cardiovascular diseases;
National program for endocrine diseases;
National program for diabetes mellitus;
National program for oncology;
National program for orthopedics;
National program for mental health;
National program for renal function substitution;
National intensive care program for hepatic failure;
National organ, tissue, and human cell transplant program;
National neurological disease treatment program;
National hemophilia and thalassemia treatment program;
National hearing loss treatment program;
National rare disease treatment program.
Additionally, patients involved in the national program for the prevention, monitoring, and control of HIV/AIDS, as well as those in the national program for the prevention, monitoring, and control of tuberculosis, are also included.
