Bulgarian Medical Union demands real-time healthcare fund monitoring

The Bulgarian Medical Union (BMU) is calling for the implementation of a real-time monitoring system for public healthcare funds. The union proposes a preventive mechanism to track every reported and paid medical activity, ensuring that the National Health Insurance Fund only pays for actual medical services performed and medication dispensed.

According to the BMU, current oversight methods often rely on retrospective audits that occur after funds have already been reported and paid. The union argues that such checks are sometimes insufficient and that a real-time system involving all participants in the healthcare system—including patients—is necessary to prevent the misuse of public resources.

The BMU has repeatedly presented this proposal to Health Minister Katya Ivkova since she took office, but claims that no concrete steps have been taken by the Ministry of Health to address the issue. The union stated that if no action is taken, it intends to escalate the matter to higher levels of government.