The expert opinion is generally prepared based on documents; however, if there is a conflict between the information in the application and the medical records, the medical expert may call you in for an appointment. At the appointment, the medical expert or a specialist involved by him or her (e.g. psychologist, speech therapist, special education teacher, occupational therapist or physiotherapist) will talk to you and, if necessary, perform operational capacity tests. 

The expert opinion shall list the diagnoses and conditions on which the assessment is based, the areas of limitation, the degree of severity of the limitation, the causes and the effects on functional capacity, an assessment of the extent of the person’s work ability along with reasons, a prognosis on the change in condition and the expected duration of partial or no work ability along with reasons. The medical expert will also make recommendations on suitable working conditions and activities to support your work ability. 

An example of a summary of an expert opinion:

• The applicant has a profound limitation in the area of interpersonal communication, caused by depressed mood and an emotional imbalance, and indirectly, chronic illnesses which exacerbate these disorders.
• Precluded are intensive communication by the applicant with strangers and public speaking, as well as conflict resolution.
• the applicant’s working capacity is partially hindered. The situation is likely to deteriorate; however, there is likely to be little change in work ability in the next two years.
• Suitable for working in a small team or individually. Not suitable for work that involves intensive communication and/or requires dealing with strangers (e.g. working with clients) or public speaking. Needs psychological counselling.

If your state of health is particularly severe, i.e. precluding work ability*, no work ability is determined solely on the basis of the diagnosis or disease condition, and there is no further assessment of functional capacity. So, if you confirm at the start of your application that your condition is precluding work ability, you do not need to complete the rest of the application. In this case, a simplified assessment can be carried out: the medical expert checks the medical records for the presence of a precluding condition and draws up an expert opinion.

*Conditions precluding work ability are:

• relieving the pain of a malignant tumour, or the best supportive treatment if no oncospecific treatment is available;
• dialysis treatment;
• use of a ventilator or continuous oxygen therapy for respiratory failure;
• dementia;
• moderate, profound or severe intellectual disability;
• permanently bedridden (needing round-the-clock assistance).

As of 01 January 2019, the expert opinion on which the decision on the assessment of work ability is based will be available via e-töötukassa as well as in the Patient Portal. 
To obtain expert opinions serving as the basis for decisions taken until 31 December 2018, please send an inquiry to the e-mail address tvh.hindamine@tootukassa.ee or in paper format by regular mail to the address Lasnamäe 2, Tallinn 11412.