Mandatory eVouchers for MDs from 1 January 2026

An amendment to the Digital Health Act is now on its way to publication in the Collection of Laws. Among other changes, it introduces a major shift in how medical devices are prescribed. After a long period of divergence between prescriptions for medicinal products and medical devices, the two are finally aligning. From 1 January 2026, medical devices will also have to be prescribed electronically. The traditional paper form will remain valid only in a very limited number of exceptional cases. Prescribers, dispensers, and their IT system providers now have six months to ensure proper implementation.

The COVID-19 pandemic clearly revealed the urgent need for a legal pathway to prescribe medical devices electronically. The most affected were chronically ill patients and people living with disabilities. Since 2022, the Czech Republic has offered a voluntary eVoucher system that can be used based on agreement between the prescriber and patient. While this intermediate step brought some relief, it did not solve the underlying issues. The voluntary model has reached its limits. Many prescribers remain cautious, and a significant number of dispensing facilities still refuse to issue medical devices based on an eVoucher. The time has come to move from a voluntary to a mandatory system to ensure consistency and fair access.

An important side effect of this legislative change will be much greater oversight of prescribed and dispensed medical devices. The reform will significantly reduce opportunities for so-called “voucher fraud” or trading of paper vouchers. Paper vouchers today often function as a form of currency for some prescribers, commercial reps, and even dispensers. If they manage, legally (with the patient’s consent) or illegally, to hand over the device directly instead of issuing a voucher, they can still reliably get the paper voucher reimbursed by the health insurance company. This long-established practice is now collapsing, much like similar loopholes did in the area of medicinal products a few years ago. And the reason is not stepped-up inspections by the State Institute for Drug Control or more aggressive reviews by insurers, but rather a logical concern over strategic behaviour by patients.

Once the mandatory eVoucher is in place, patients will be in a significantly stronger position. The new system will allow nearly immediate dispensing of devices, including by delivery, as soon as the eVoucher is issued. This can happen either by using the unique voucher identifier or by showing a valid ID card. As a result, it will no longer be possible to “withhold” a paper voucher and prevent the patient from choosing where to redeem it. The trade in vouchers will lose its value entirely, as a redeemed eVoucher identifier becomes unusable for further claims.

Author: Jakub Král