The government has supported the draft law on the systemic reform of social insurance "ePotential", the Ministry of Social Policy reported on Friday, UNN reports.
Details
"The government has supported the draft law developed by the Ministry of Social Policy, which provides for the reform of the social insurance system in 2025. The introduction of changes will provide a person facing a serious illness or injury with faster, more comprehensive and complete assistance from the state," the statement said.
The social insurance reform, as stated, is part of a comprehensive reform of the social security system and medical and social expertise. "It should replace the old, inefficient and bureaucratized system with a transparent, clear and fair one," the Ministry of Social Policy emphasized.
According to the draft reform approved by the government, state assistance to a person who has suffered an injury or illness will be provided not only as compensation for financial losses due to disability, but also through the creation of more opportunities for the recovery and rehabilitation of such a person, timely provision of social services, and assistance in returning to the labor market - that is, all possible measures aimed at helping a person become an active member of society again and realize their potential.
As part of the social insurance reform, the Ministry of Social Policy will work to implement the following changes:
- Social support for a person will begin as soon as the multidisciplinary team at the hospital identifies the person's need for additional support (social, financial, workplace adaptation, etc.). In addition to doctors, such a team includes a social worker, occupational therapist, prosthetist, physical therapist, psychologist and other specialists.
Thanks to digital exchanges between electronic health and social systems, the assessment of a person's needs for social assistance will be launched immediately after the doctor forms an electronic medical report on temporary disability (MVTN) .
In order to receive qualified and comprehensive support from the state throughout the entire period of illness and rehabilitation, a person does not need any additional "status" (in particular, a person with a disability). A social work specialist will immediately advise such a person on all types of support from the state and help them receive it. If necessary, the person will be provided with the necessary additional rehabilitation equipment (prostheses, orthoses, special furniture, wheelchairs, crutches, etc.), medicines, and social services (for example, home care). Currently, this is only possible AFTER the disability status is granted. Such assistance and support will be digitized as much as possible, and there will be no need to "run around the offices" and stand in lines.
- Rehabilitation will be carried out ONLY if necessary, and will not be mandatory.
As before, the need for medical rehabilitation will be determined by a doctor. It will take place under the supervision of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, which will also include a social worker.
- If necessary, the rehabilitation period is extended up to 1 year (currently up to 4 months). During this time, the state will provide the person with all the necessary support, including financial support.
Currently, temporary disability benefits are paid only for up to 120 days of illness. And after the period of temporary disability is over, the employer has the right to dismiss the person and thereby deprive them of financial support. However, it can often take much longer for a person to recover.
After the reform is implemented, temporary disability benefits will no longer be tied to the establishment of disability status, but will be set for the duration of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation, if necessary, will be able to last up to a year.
- After completion of treatment and rehabilitation , an Evaluation of Work Capacity will be performed.
The assessment of work capacity is NOT tied to the disability status and is NOT a condition for it. As before, disability will be assessed on the medical side.
Assessment of working capacity is one of the stages on the way to returning a person to active life. It takes place in a depersonalized manner. By filling out a special questionnaire, a person provides information about their physical capabilities or limitations, environment, surroundings, and other factors. After analyzing this data remotely, the specialist in the field of work capacity assessment will form a Conclusion on work capacity.
If a person regains his or her health, he or she will be able to return to work, to his or her usual life, and to earn his or her own income. But if the person has not fully recovered and his or her ability to work is limited, the state will provide the necessary payments at a level that compensates for the lost income.
- It is assumed that insurance payments will increase, that for people with total disability these payments will increase significantly.
(!) Important:
The reform does NOT apply to people who already have a disability. It is about workers with insurance experience who need treatment after an illness or injury.
The Ministry of Social Policy noted that:
- Disability status remains. for those who already have disability status, nothing changes.
- All benefits for persons with disabilities are preserved.3. after the reform, the disability status will continue to grant a person the right to social services, rehabilitation, benefits and employment support.
"The reform does not provide for the reduction of any payments or social guarantees. [On the contrary, it will increase support for those who cannot work and provide for themselves. For such persons, payments will increase," the Ministry emphasized.
Нова система "єПотенціал" змінить правила соціального страхування в Україні30.10.24, 12:17