Plan to Simplify Extension of Long-Term Sick Leave
The Ministry of Welfare proposes to allow family doctors to extend sick leave beyond 26 weeks without a state medical commission's assessment, provided a specialist's opinion exists. The amendments still need parliamentary approval.
The Ministry of Welfare has drafted amendments to simplify the procedure for extending long-term sick leave. Currently, if incapacity for work exceeds 26 weeks (six months), an extension of sickness benefits requires a conclusion from the State Medical Commission for Health and Work Ability. The new rules would enable a family doctor to decide on the extension based on another specialist's opinion, bypassing the commission.
The aim is to reduce administrative burden and speed up the process for patients requiring prolonged treatment. However, the amendments still need to be approved by the Saeima (Parliament) and may be subject to changes during discussions. The exact date of enactment is not yet known.
