The expert told how the procedure for closing sick leave will change in 2026.

There will be no global changes in the rules for issuing disability certificates in 2026, but the procedure for working with electronic hospital records will be expanded and clarified. This was reported to Izvestia by the leading expert of Kontur.Externa" by Elena Kulakova.

The expert clarified that global changes are not expected in 2026. At the same time, the Ministry of Justice is approving a document that will expand the range of persons for whom electronic disability certificates (ELS) are being generated. Thus, the ELN will begin to be issued to citizens who have lost their ability to work during the suspension of the employment contract after military service.

"So far, the previous order of opening and closing the ELN remains. It remains mandatory for a medical professional to establish a diagnosis of the disease and its severity based on the collection of medical history and complaints, a general examination of the citizen, and the results of diagnostic tests. Recording of data on the patient's health status in the patient's medical record during outpatient treatment or in the medical history during hospital treatment," the expert said.

To apply for a leaflet, the patient still needs to present an identity card and SNILS. Some cases of sick leave closures are still automatic.

"For example, in case of acute respiratory viral infections, a doctor opens a sick leave for seven days. If the patient does not come to the appointment, it is considered that he has recovered, and the medical center is closed," the expert explained. When the patient shows up, the doctor re-evaluates the condition and extends the sick leave if necessary.

There are no differences between the registration of sick leave in state institutions for compulsory medical insurance and private clinics for compulsory medical insurance: the procedure is the same. It is only important that the organization has a license that includes an examination of temporary disability.

For more information, see the Izvestia article.

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