The lawyer spoke about the consequences of the introduction of approximate estimates in paid medical services.

The concept of "Rough estimate", which will appear on September 1 in the rules for the provision of paid medical services, is designed to simplify the workflow and reduce the risks of disputes between clinics and patients. Irina Gritsenko, a medical lawyer, told Izvestia about this.

As the expert explained, clinics will be able to immediately indicate that the cost of treatment may increase by 10-20%. This will save patients and medical organizations from having to repeatedly sign updated documents when the price changes. Before that, when the amount of treatment was increased, it was necessary to make a new estimate each time. Now the clinic has the right to immediately prescribe a possible increase in cost.

"Previously, when the amount of treatment changed and it increased, as a rule, it was necessary to sign a new estimate. Currently, the clinic can immediately write that the cost can be increased by 10-20%. This removes the need to sign the estimate several times," Irina Hrytsenko emphasized.

For clinics, an approximate estimate becomes an important legal confirmation: it records that the patient has been notified in advance of a possible price increase. This is especially true in controversial situations, for example, if it comes to court because of unpaid services. At the same time, the patient retains the right to request an estimate, and the medical organization is obliged to provide it.

"But the estimate is also needed so that if the patient subsequently refuses to pay, the clinic can go to court and file a confirmation that they notified the patient of the cost. If this estimate is not available, then the court would definitely refuse to satisfy such requirements. At the same time, the estimate is the clinic's responsibility to provide it if the patient requests it," the expert said.

Read more about the new rules for the provision of paid medical services in the Izvestia article:

"The cost increase will be included in the estimate: new rules for the provision of paid medical services from September 1."