The Tunisian National Medical Council has expressed reservations about implementing electronic billing for doctors, citing concerns over the interpretation of a finance law article. In a statement released on October 2, the council argued that the application of electronic billing to the medical profession requires a legal framework that takes into account the specificities of medical practice. The council is contesting the interpretation given by a general note from the tax administration.
The disagreement centers on Article 53 of the 2026 finance law, which expanded electronic billing to "service provision operations." The tax administration's note specifies that this extension includes service providers, encompassing individuals in the services sector, including non-commercial professions. The Medical Council disputes this reading, arguing that the note exceeded its interpretive role by extending the scope to non-commercial professions not explicitly mentioned in Article 53.
The Medical Council asserts that the medical profession operates under a unique legal, deontological, and fiscal framework. Medical practice relies on honorarium notes, which are an adaptation of the billing system to the particularities of non-commercial professions. The council also reiterates concerns about professional secrecy and the protection of patients' personal and medical data, emphasizing that any evolution of the system must integrate these constraints.
The council had previously requested a freeze on the application of electronic billing in the medical sector, citing risks related to medical secrecy and health data. In March, it proposed a gradual implementation, including a monthly summary honorarium note. The council now claims to be in discussions with executive and legislative authorities to modify the legal framework, with a proposed text amendment pending.
The Medical Council maintains its reservations about the current form of electronic billing and advocates for a gradual, clear, and legally compliant implementation, with technical and legal guarantees adapted to the medical profession and patient rights. The council's position is based on the specificities of medical practice and the need to protect patients' data and medical secrecy.
A modification to the legal framework is reportedly being prepared, with the council pushing for changes that would accommodate the unique aspects of the medical profession. Until then, the council will continue to express its concerns about the application of electronic billing to doctors.
The issue highlights the challenges of implementing electronic billing in the medical sector, balancing the need for modernization with the requirement to protect sensitive patient data and maintain professional secrecy. The outcome of the discussions between the Medical Council and the authorities remains to be seen.
Key points
- The Tunisian Medical Council disputes the application of electronic billing to doctors, citing concerns over professional secrecy and data protection.
- The council advocates for a gradual implementation of electronic billing, with technical and legal guarantees adapted to the medical profession.
- A proposed modification to the legal framework is pending, aiming to accommodate the specificities of the medical profession.
