A total of 252,000 lei, which had been unjustly paid by patients, was refunded following the submission of 28 petitions. After reviewing the cases, the money was reimbursed from the health insurance funds. This outcome is a result of the implementation of a new legal protection mechanism for insured individuals by the National Health Insurance Company (CNAM), IPN reports.

“We received over 1,000 petitions this year on various issues. Some of these petitions were based on complaints from patients who were compelled or pressured to incur unjustified expenses. Usually, when we lack sufficient information, our colleagues visit the medical institution, review the medical and financial records, and draw conclusions about the facts”, stated Ion Dodon, CNAM’s General Director, during a press conference.

In 25 cases, patient expenses were refunded directly by medical institutions, while in three cases, the National Health Insurance Company provided the reimbursements. In all instances, hospital administrators acknowledged that patients had been wronged, a conclusion also confirmed by CNAM experts.