An ultrasound examination prescribed by a treating physician can be obtained free of charge in Ukraine at a medical facility that has the appropriate equipment and a valid contract with the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU). The key requirement for the patient is having an electronic referral. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing an official clarification from the Ministry of Health published on Facebook. We break down how the procedure works, where to find a suitable clinic, and what to do if you cannot find a facility on your own.
How Free Ultrasound Works Under the Guarantee Program
The ultrasound examination is included in the medical care package "Prevention, Diagnosis, Monitoring and Treatment in Outpatient Settings." This is why it can be obtained free of charge at a polyclinic or diagnostic center that simultaneously meets two requirements: it has the necessary equipment and has concluded a contract with the NHSU. It is fundamentally important that the specific service provided by the chosen medical facility exactly matches the one indicated in the patient's electronic referral. If the facility does not have the required equipment or lacks an NHSU contract for that service, a free examination cannot be performed there — even with a referral.
Where to Find a Medical Facility and How to Book
Finding the nearest hospital or diagnostic center where you can get an ultrasound under the guarantee has been simplified using the electronic map of places providing medical care services. This map offers filters that allow you to narrow the search by region, type of facility, and specific service. A detailed instruction on using these filters is located at the bottom of the electronic map page. Thus, the patient does not need to call dozens of clinics: it is enough to open the map, select the appropriate filter, and see the list of available facilities in their area.
What the Patient Needs for the Examination
To undergo an ultrasound under the Medical Guarantees Program, the patient first needs an electronic referral issued by a physician. This is the main document confirming the right to a free examination in outpatient settings. If you cannot find a suitable medical facility on your own — for example, if the chosen clinic does not have the required equipment or contract — you can contact the NHSU call center at number 16-77. The service operator will help select the nearest medical facilities where the required medical service is provided and advise on the booking procedure.
Hospitalization and Emergency Cases
A separate procedure applies when a patient is hospitalized, either scheduled or emergency. In this case, all necessary examinations, including ultrasound, are performed directly at the hospital where the patient is located, within the corresponding medical care package. A separate electronic referral for such an examination is not required — it is covered by the fact of hospitalization itself and the guarantees included in the package. This relieves the patient of additional organizational burden during treatment.
Context: Other Innovations in the Healthcare System
The clarification on free ultrasound fits into a broader cycle of changes in the Ukrainian healthcare system. For instance, Ukrainians recently gained the ability to compare prices for almost all prescription medicines via a QR code indicated in the note to the electronic prescription; previously, this function worked only for tablets and capsules. In addition, Ukraine has simplified obtaining medicines in rural and frontline communities: the Ministry of Health has allowed drugs to be dispensed not only by pharmacists but also by nurses, paramedics, and midwives. The combination of these measures is aimed at making guaranteed medical care more accessible and transparent for patients across the country.
