Occupational medical certifications. Possible reduction of deviations and compliant certifications
One of the most significant modifications is that the certification system is integrated into the Electronic Medical Record, implying a cross-referencing of information between the health provider and the BPS, with several objectives.
Medical certifications, which accredit the temporary incapacity for work activity, are currently questioned by both employers and workers, whose task is overloaded.
The new regime, provided for in the Accountability Law, aims to improve this problem, changing the current paradigm. It will begin to apply to the private sector in a first stage of technical implementation and it is estimated that by the second semester it will be fully operational.
The worker will continue to do the same management as before, consulting directly with their health provider. The novelty is that now the system will be linked to the medical history. Doctors will have general information (worker's certification history, estimated recovery times for each ailment, etc.) at the time of making the decision. In addition, the certification cannot be backdated or postdated and will be individual, and must be validated by the doctor who attended the patient and certified them (identifying the responsible professional).
The Project for the Integration of the National Occupational Certification System - Electronic Medical Record, offers health providers a map of functionalities in which the diagnosis of the medical certification is required with the corresponding assignment of a specific code and based on this, an estimated recovery time is suggested. Likewise, it has even been foreseen that a certification may be revoked as a result of an internal audit process issued by the provider's technical authority when it is found that it does not meet the required conditions (for example: certifications issued by non-specialists or if it is concluded that it was issued with deviation in purpose, for profit, etc.).
It is expected that in this new scenario, those \"dubious\" certifications that lead to the payment of undue subsidies can be reduced, generating an overload of the system and great harm to the business sector.
Montevideo, February 1, 2023
