Reform of the Disability Assessment Procedure: Analysis of Changes and Prospects

Ukraine has launched a comprehensive reform in the field of medical and social expertise, which was introduced in 1992 to replace the Soviet-era disability assessment system. As of January 1, 2025, the disability assessment system has undergone significant changes: Medical and Social Expert Commissions (MSECs) have ceased to operate, and their functions have been transferred to Expert Teams for Assessing Daily Functioning. This decision was driven by the need to reduce bureaucratic procedures, enhance process transparency, and make it more responsive to people's needs. 

On December 19, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine officially passed Bill No. 12178, which mandates the abolition of MSECs from the beginning of 2025. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that 291 medical institutions have been designated to host more than 1,476 expert teams, comprising over 5,000 practicing doctors. On December 30, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed the law eliminating MSECs, effective January 1, 2025. 

From now on, all documentation is stored electronically, eliminating the risk of losing important documents and falsifying patient data. Doctors independently enter information into a unified system, reducing the number of steps required to complete the assessment process. Furthermore, the approach to disability assessment itself has changed: experts now analyze not only medical indicators but also a person’s overall ability to function independently in daily life. 

The selection process for assessment personnel has also been reformed. Instead of pre-formed, fixed commissions, expert teams are now assembled randomly from specialists at the medical facility of the patient’s choice, according to the case’s specific needs and circumstances. This aims to eliminate subjectivity in decision-making and increase trust in the process. In addition to standard in-person evaluations (conducted at a facility or via an on-site visit), new assessment options have been introduced: remote evaluations via telemedicine and document-based assessments without direct patient participation. If needed, a patient’s representative or attending physician may participate in the process. Decisions are made by a simple majority vote through open voting among all team members. Additionally, the process has become more transparent: audio and video recording of assessments is permitted, and former MSEC heads are not allowed to participate in the new system. 

For individuals who already hold an MSEC disability certificate, the reform establishes the following key provisions: 

• All previously issued MSEC certificates remain valid until their designated expiration dates. 
• If a person has a valid MSEC certificate and their re-examination date has not yet arrived, all deadlines originally set for reassessment starting January 1, 2025, are extended until June 30, 2025, ensuring a six-month transition period. 
• If reassessment deadlines were missed between 2022 and 2024:Men aged 25-60 with a disability of group II or III must independently apply for reassessment by November 1, 2025. All other categories must complete reassessment by April 1, 2026. 
• If documents were already submitted to MSEC and a review date had been scheduled, but the session did not take place before the reform, the assessment will occur on the same date, with the patient being notified by email or postal mail of the new location. 
• If a disability was granted permanently, no additional reassessments are required. 

The procedure for establishing disability due to war remains unchanged. To confirm a disability’s connection to combat actions, a decision from the Interdepartmental Commission under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs is required. This process takes up to one month, with a possible extension of 15 days if necessary. Notably, disability is initially assessed based on general health conditions, and only afterward is its link to wartime injuries considered. 

According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 1,500 expert teams have already been established, comprising 6,200 doctors in 293 medical institutions. As of early 2025, 1.5 million cases have been transferred to the new system, with 19,000 already reviewed, 28,000 currently under review, and another 6,000 undergoing moderation. A total of 44,000 cases transferred from MSECs are scheduled for review in the first quarter, in addition to new incoming cases. 

This reform is not merely a replacement of the old system but a complete overhaul and digitalization of the disability assessment process. Whether it will be effective remains to be seen, but it is already evident that Ukraine's approach to disability assessment is undergoing significant transformation. 

This informational material was created as part of a project implemented by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), with funding from the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the DRC. Neither the European Commission nor the DRC can be held responsible for the content of this material.