Czech government mandates electronic medical referrals to improve care access

The Czech government approved a law that requires doctors to issue electronic medical referrals starting in 2025.

This move shifts the current voluntary system to a mandatory digital process for specific types of medical visits. Doctors must use electronic referrals for imaging tests, such as X-rays or ultrasounds, and for consultations with specialists like cardiologists or neurologists. The mandate also covers physical therapy visits.

The ministry of health says this integration will allow the state to monitor waiting times and plan medical capacity more effectively to improve patient access to care. The government plans to phase out paper referrals for laboratory tests by 2028. Additionally, all medical records must be kept in electronic form by 2029. To simplify the transition, the ministry will integrate these electronic referrals directly into existing hospital and outpatient information systems so doctors do not have to learn new applications.