New rules related to the digital appointment booking system of the Hungarian National eHealth Infrastructure (EESZT) require outpatient providers (who use the booking system) to offer all available appointments for non-urgent care in the booking system. Exceptions include appointments reserved for in-house referring physicians, check-ups and special care procedures performed only by certain providers.
Not all outpatient providers currently use the digital appointment booking system, though the number is growing [1]. The new rules offer financial incentives for outpatient providers offering specified imaging procedures, allowing an increase in their planned annual budget if they use the booking system.
The rules, published in March 2025, aim to enhance the efficiency of the digital appointment booking system [2]. Although the Hungarian healthcare system follows the principle of territorial supply obligation, the new rules allow patients and physicians to book outpatient appointments with providers outside their assigned area.