New Health Centers in Portugal: Who Gets Excluded from Enrollment?

Important Update on USF-C Enrollment Criteria

The Portuguese Ministry of Health has clarified the enrollment criteria for the new Family Health Units of Model C (USF-C). According to the announcement made on Friday, only patients without a assigned family doctor will be eligible to register at these new health centers.

Those who already have a family doctor or reside outside areas deemed underserved will not be included in the lists submitted by the Local Health Units (ULS) to these new centers. This decision aims to prioritize access for those in need of healthcare services, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to the areas that require them most.

Key Points:

• Patients with an assigned family doctor will be excluded from the USF-C enrollment.
• Individuals residing outside designated underserved areas will also be excluded.
• The initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve healthcare access across Portugal.