New framework contracts between the National Health Insurance Fund and doctors' groups appear in today's issue of the State Gazette. There are two documents — one between the fund and the Bulgarian Medical Association covering medical services, the other between the fund and the Bulgarian Dental Association covering dental care. Both run from 2026 to 2028 and set out how doctors will work and what rights and duties they have toward the health fund.

The documents bring several changes for patients. A new condition, chronic kidney disease, is added to the list tracked under regular check-up programs, while the electronic prescription booklet is scrapped. Patients will find it easier to get a referral to a specialist when they go for preventive check-ups, and they'll have access to more specialized tests, including for children. Dr Nikolay Brantsalov, head of the Bulgarian Medical Association, explained this when the contract was signed.

For dentists, the change affects adults with health insurance — from 1 November 2026, they'll be entitled to a fourth dental treatment. Dr Borislav Milanov, head of the Bulgarian Dental Association, announced this a few days ago when the contract was signed.

MPs passed the 2026 health fund budget at second reading in July, which set the financial terms for both contracts. In early September, the fund's supervisory board approved both documents.

The first-ever National Framework Contract in Bulgaria between the health fund and doctors' and dentists' professional bodies was signed on 27 April 2000.