Estonia's 2027 healthcare reform mandates e-consultations before specialist visits

Estonia will introduce a new rule for specialist referrals from 2027. Patients seeking care in nine medical specialties will first need an e-consultation. The change aims to improve how healthcare resources are used. Starting in 2027, referrals to specialists in psychiatry, hematology, endocrinology, neurology, allergology, neurosurgery, cardiology, gastroenterology, and internal medicine will require an electronic consultation. The process begins with the family doctor sharing the patient’s condition with the specialist online.

The specialist will then decide if an in-person visit is necessary. If not, they will send treatment recommendations back to the family doctor. If a face-to-face appointment is needed, the medical institution will schedule it based on urgency. Emergency and life-threatening cases will bypass the e-consultation entirely.

The Ministry of Social Affairs states the new system will help direct patients to the right doctor. It will also ensure specialised care is used more efficiently. Patients will not pay for the e-consultation. The e-consultation system will apply to nine specialties from 2027. It will streamline referrals and reduce unnecessary visits. Specialists will assess each case remotely before deciding on further steps.