MRI or a Fog of Lies?
Did you know that in Montenegro, a real drama has been unfolding for years around MRI scans? The Health Insurance Fund (FZO) has reported the private Polyclinic Hipokrat for falsifying reports on MRI services provided. Yes, you read that right – falsification! How? Instead of properly invoicing services, Hipokrat allegedly submitted fake reports to siphon money from the state budget.
How did this happen?
Polyclinic Hipokrat signed a contract with FZO to provide specialist-consultative diagnostic healthcare in radiological diagnostics, valid from January 1, 2021, to the end of 2023. Sounds normal, right? But the problem is that for years, the Fund has been sending patients to three private clinics for MRI scans because the public health system has only four MRI machines, one of which is not operational.
The contract specifies that MRI scans can only be performed by doctors employed full-time by the private clinic, and their names are clearly listed. This was done to avoid conflicts of interest, as doctors from public institutions should not perform such scans in private clinics as secondary work.
Where’s the problem?
The Fund reported that in January and February 2022, electronic invoices were submitted where the chief radiologist was listed only as a consultant, while the actual chief radiologist was omitted. This means the invoices were fake because the service was provided by a doctor not covered by the contract. In other words, someone falsified reports to get money unjustly.
Worse, the reports submitted to the Fund did not match those given to patients. This is a classic case of document forgery, and the Fund claims that in 2022, Hipokrat invoiced about 1.2 million euros for MRI services.
Who’s involved?
The chief radiologist signing the reports is Dr. Žanka Cerović, president of the Medical Chamber of Montenegro and a radiology specialist at the Clinical Center of Montenegro. Although her name is not on the list of doctors authorized to perform MRI scans at Hipokrat, she allegedly worked as a consultant with permission from her primary employer. Cerović says she cannot comment on whether Hipokrat committed a criminal offense, as this will be determined by competent authorities.
Hipokrat has not responded to questions about the Fund’s report, and after arbitration, the Fund paid part of the funds for 2022 services, although the investigation into falsification is ongoing.
And the state?
The Police Directorate and the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica have launched an investigation based on the Fund’s report. However, the Fund claims that since filing the report, the police have not taken concrete steps, casting doubt on institutional effectiveness.
To make matters worse, the tender for purchasing new MRI machines for general hospitals in Bijelo Polje and Nikšić, worth 1.56 million euros, was canceled twice due to procedural issues. This means the public health system still lacks sufficient equipment, and patients are forced to wait or go to private clinics that apparently do not follow the rules.
Why are we not surprised?
When a scandal like this happens in the system, where reports are falsified to extract money from the state budget, and institutions respond slowly, it’s clear the problem is deep and systemic. Will anyone be held accountable? Will the situation improve? Or will we keep watching public health funds vanish in the MRI fog?
Conclusion
This scandal is yet another proof that healthcare in Montenegro is in serious crisis. While patients wait for scans, some play with forged documents and taxpayers’ money. If you have thoughts on this scandal or know similar stories, feel free to drop a comment. Maybe together we can clear the fog!
Is this just the tip of the iceberg? Who knows… But one thing’s for sure – it’s time for change!
