The Hellenic Radiological Society filed an extrajudicial protest with the EOPYY requesting that the “completely vague, unjustified, illegitimate and, in any case, completely arbitrary and legally, medically and ethically unfounded decision of the Organization” be revoked immediately, which without any prior consultation, as stated, provides that the qualified radiologist is obliged to prescribe the contrast agent free of charge.
As stated in the relevant advertisement:
“EAE immediately sent a letter to the Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis, the Vice Minister of Health Marios Themistokleous and the President of EOPYY Theano Karpodini (1-7-2024) in which it highlights that according to the current Code of Medical Ethics:
– The prescription of contrasting drugs constitutes a medical procedure (article 1, paragraph 3).
– The remuneration for all medical procedures is determined by Article 19, which stipulates that the Doctor must provide his services with a fee that is absolutely reasonable and proportionate to the extent of the medical procedure.
– No medical procedures are provided without payment.
– Fiscally, it is impossible for radiologists to prescribe contrasts free of charge.”
“To issue a circular”
In the same letter, EAE requested the Minister of Health to proceed with the issuance of a relevant circular, which will determine all actions regarding the prescription of contrast agents, accurately describing the professional, financial and fiscal data of all Radiologists (ESY Doctors, workshop owners, private sector employees) and the suppliers contracted with EOPYY.
“Unconstitutional discrimination”
“This is a mistaken and illogical decision by EOPYY, which amounts to unconstitutional discrimination against Radiologists, compared to Doctors of other specialties, who normally receive fees for prescribing medicines or tests. That is why we ask the Minister of Health to immediately revoke it”, notes the President of EAE, Mr. Athanasios Chalazonitis.
Referring to the radio interview given by the Minister of Health to the SKAI radio station on the morning of Monday, July 8, Mr. Chalazonitis stressed that “the above fee is not included nor can it be arbitrarily considered or imposed to be included in the diagnostic laboratory fee for the examination, as it is an autonomous medical act.”