Private hospitals in Uzbekistan to offer state-funded medical services

Under the new regulations, treatment costs will be reimbursed by the state using a unified base pricing model applicable to both public and private providers. This shift aims to create a more competitive environment while expanding patient access to high-quality care.

Key changes introduced by the decree include:

Direct referrals: A new system will allow the State Health Insurance Fund to issue referrals for specialized outpatient services and surgical procedures to be performed at private medical institutions.

Funding overhaul: The practice of allocating state budget funds to specific medical organizations will be abolished. Instead, funding volumes will be determined monthly based on specific disease categories.

Proportional licensing penalties: If a medical organization violates licensing requirements, authorities will now only suspend the specific medical specialty where the violation occurred, rather than shutting down the entire facility.

Maternity care support: New medical centers specializing in childbirth will be permitted to outsource bacteriological laboratory services, lowering the barrier to entry for private maternity wards.

The decree also mandates a structural change within the government. The Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency under the Ministry of Health will be renamed the Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry Development Agency.

The initiative signifies a move toward a "money follows the patient" principle, ensuring that citizens have the freedom to choose their healthcare provider without facing the full financial burden of private clinical rates, provided the service falls within the state-approved insurance scope.