November the 18th, 2022 - If you've ever been in need of a Croatian GP but just not been able to get anyone to get you on their list because they're all full, you likely know how frustrating it is. Especially if you've already got that dreaded ear infection. Here's what HZZO (the Croatian Health Insurance Fund) advises.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, if you want to change your general practitioner, you've found the database of general doctors on HZZO's website, but you only get rejections, you might be left scratching your head. As a rule, the choice of Croatian GP is made according to the place of your residence and the nearest healthcare institution, and you have the right to a new doctor one year after your last choice of doctor if you're unsatisfied.
An insured person (by HZZO) can check if a Croatian GP is taking on new patients in several ways. This information can be obtained at your regional HZZO office in person. You can also contact the e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO) tells tportal.hr. People insured by HZZO can also contact the directorate of health centres in a particular area, and it is also possible to check which GPs have places for enrollment on the HZZO website.
According to the current rules, the minimum number of insured persons who can be assigned to a team in general/family medicine is 1,275, the standard number is 1,700, and the maximum is 2,125 insured persons.
A person's chosen doctor can refuse to take on an insured person only if they have a maximum number of insured persons determined by the general act of the HZZO (for pediatrics 1190 insured persons, for dental health care 2375, and for women's healthcare 9000) under their care already, or, if between the chosen doctor and between the insured person(s) in question, there is a disturbance in mutual relations that makes it impossible to carry out medical treatment.
Insured persons who suspect that they have been improperly refused registration by Croatian GPs can also report the situation to HZZO or to the regional office responsible for their place of residence. In cases of unjustified refusal of patient registration, the competent regional office/area service of the HZZO can carry out an inspection based on the petition of the insured person, and in case of irregularities, it is able to impose the measure provided for in the contract.
GPs and doctors of dental medicine can, on the basis of gaining special approval from HZZO, contract the implementation of healthcare for a new member of an individual family whose family members are mostly treated by that healthcare provider, even in the case when the team has the maximum number of insured persons under their care.
An HZZO insured person can make a change/alter their choice of their chosen doctor by filling in the information on the statement that they can pick up in the office of the doctor they have chosen. The chosen doctor then also enters their data on the declaration form and certifies it with the signature and seal of the healthcare institution or practice in question.
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