# Republika Srpska healthcare accessibility updates

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/republika-srpska-healthcare-accessibility-updates
> Updated: 2026-10-21T09:41:20.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Republic of Srpska Health Insurance Fund (FZO) has implemented several regulatory changes to improve healthcare access and streamline medical procedures.

In mid-October, new regulations allowed insured individuals to access primary-level mental health services at health centers without a referral from a family doctor, a move intended to reduce stigmatization and physician workload. Additionally, the validity of medical referrals was extended, with diagnostic service referrals increasing from 30 to 90 days and specialist consultation referrals remaining valid for 180 days.

By late October, the FZO introduced amendments to the 2026 Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) program. The updated rules allow any specialist gynecologist and obstetrician contracted with the Fund to recommend the NIPT test, removing previous restrictions that limited recommendations to a patient’s registered primary care gynecologist. The program provides reimbursement for women over 35 or younger women with specific medical indications, covering costs up to a maximum of 1,100 KM.

## Claims

- The Health Insurance Fund of Republika Srpska has updated the NIPT program for 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Any specialist gynecologist from a contracted facility can now recommend the NIPT test. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Previously, only primary care gynecologists where the woman was registered could recommend the test. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Reimbursement is available for women over 35 and younger women with medical indications. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Reimbursement requests must be submitted within one year of the test payment. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The maximum reimbursement amount is 1,100 KM. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Republika Srpska simplifies NIPT prenatal testing procedures

The Republika Srpska Health Insurance Fund has simplified NIPT prenatal testing procedures, allowing any contracted gynecologist to provide recommendations for cost reimbursement.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/republika-srpska-simplifies-nipt-prenatal-testing-procedures

### 2026-10-15: Republika Srpska eases access to mental health services

Republika Srpska has introduced mental health services at primary health centers without requiring a referral, alongside extended validity periods for various medical diagnostic referrals.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/republika-srpska-eases-access-to-mental-health-services

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Cite as: Republika Srpska healthcare accessibility updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/republika-srpska-healthcare-accessibility-updates