The Senate proposes electronically verifying insured status through CNAS systems, without a physical certificate

On Monday, September 14, the Senate adopted, with 111 votes in favor, one against and one abstention, a legislative proposal under which employees would no longer be required to present a physical certificate to prove that they are insured under the public health system. The bill must also be approved by the Chamber of Deputies, the decision-making body in this case, in order to become law.

Under the proposal, providers of medical services and devices that have contractual relationships with health insurance funds, as well as authorized public institutions, will electronically verify insured status through the health insurance information platform and the tools provided by CNAS.

The verification will generate an electronic document sealed and time-stamped by CNAS, which will have the same legal effect as the certificate. Physical documents may be requested only in exceptional situations, when the IT systems are not functioning or the data are temporarily unavailable.

Until December 31, 2027, the national health insurance card and the electronic identity card may be used alternatively for authentication and to prove insured status. The bill also provides exemptions for people who refuse the card for religious or conscientious reasons.