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North Macedonia to implement new medical leave regulations

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-24 20:09 UTC → 2026-09-29 09:52 UTC · added removed

North Macedonia to implement new medical leave regulation reforms regulations

North Macedonian officials authorities are proposing moving forward with stricter regulations to combat the abuse of medical leave. The Health Insurance Fund has suggested leave, with new rules set to take effect on December 1. A central component of the reform is reducing the number of days a period during which primary care physician physicians can independently authorize sick leave from seven days to five, arguing that five days is sufficient for further medical assessment. Government officials, including Minister of Internal Affairs Panče Toshkovski, have characterized the issue as a “catastrophic” problem involving employees, citizens, five. For longer absences, stricter electronic documentation and medical professionals. commissions will be required. The Ministry of Health noted that these measures aim to prevent individuals from using sick leave to extend holidays or work secondary jobs, citing instances where people posted vacation photos on social media while on leave. To enforce these changes, the Health Insurance Fund plans to collaborate with (HIF) reported a significant rise in medical leave usage, noting that while the Ministry number of Internal Affairs patients increased by 6.7% between 2021 and 2025, the Public Revenue Office. Enforcement strategies include number of open medical leaves rose by 33.4%. To address this, authorities are exploring electronic verification, random selection, and home inspections data exchange with other institutions to monitor whether individuals on leave are crossing national borders. Specific provisions have been established for those prescribed home treatment. Previous audits certain conditions: leave for influenza, acute respiratory infections, viral enteritis, and inspections have identified significant irregularities, with some samples showing improper specific gynecological conditions may extend up to 15 days subject to laboratory analysis. Additionally, medical leave in approximately 30 following a successful IVF procedure can last up to 37 percent three months. Certain groups, such as hospitalized patients, the severely ill, those receiving treatment abroad, and companions of cases. Health Minister Sasho Klekovski children under three, will be exempt from requirements to appear physically before a doctor or commission. While the HIF has emphasized denied that the objective is new controls will amount to prevent fraud and protect “house arrest,” the rights measures include unannounced home visits to verify prescribed rest. These reforms follow reports of patients with serious, permanent diagnoses, such as autoimmune individuals using sick leave to travel abroad, attend social events, or oncological conditions, rather than penalizing legitimate patients. Minister Toshkovski noted that these abuses occur across both the public and private sectors. Recent work secondary jobs, with previous audits of 80 employees revealed that 100 medical leaves were deemed improperly issued, representing showing irregularities in approximately 37 percent of the cases reviewed. cases.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-29 09:52 UTC North Macedonia to implement new medical leave regulations
  2. 2026-09-24 20:09 UTC North Macedonia medical leave regulation reforms
  3. 2026-09-23 17:52 UTC North Macedonia medical leave regulation reforms

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