INSS’s Atestmed Now Grants Up to 90 Days

This page is a translation of the original Portuguese text, provided for convenience. It deals with Brazilian law. If there is any discrepancy, the Portuguese version prevails. Read the original in Portuguese

INSS (Brazil’s National Social Security Institute) has extended the Atestmed period from 60 to 90 days, allowing temporary disability benefits to be granted without an in-person medical examination.

What Changed in the Atestmed System

INSS and the Ministry of Social Security made significant changes to the Atestmed system official through Joint Ordinance MPS/INSS No. 13, of March 23, 2026. The main change is that the maximum length of a benefit granted through document review has gone from 60 to 90 days. As a result, an insured person who applies for temporary disability benefits (auxílio por incapacidade temporária) can receive up to three months of leave based solely on the medical documents submitted, without having to attend an in-person medical examination.

According to official estimates, this change could reduce demand for initial in-person medical examinations by about 10%, directly benefiting more than 500,000 insured people each year, who will get a faster answer on their benefit applications.

How the Atestmed Review Process Works

An insured person who needs to apply for temporary disability benefits must go to the Meu INSS app or website and upload scanned copies of their medical documents. Federal medical experts review the material and issue a reasoned technical opinion, and they may set the length of the leave based on the evidence presented.

For the review to succeed, your documents must meet specific requirements. They must be legible and clearly identify the health care professional (name, CRM number, and signature). They must also include the disease code (ICD-10 or ICD-11), state the diagnosis, and give the estimated length of leave. Illegible or incomplete documents, or documents that do not identify the physician, may lead to a request for additional paperwork or to an in-person examination being scheduled.

An insured person can receive up to 90 days of leave based solely on the medical documents submitted through Meu INSS.

The medical expert has technical discretion to set a period different from the one recommended by the treating physician, as long as the decision is grounded in social security legislation and current medical literature.

Appeal Deadlines and Benefit Extensions

If Atestmed denies the request, the insured person has 30 days to file an administrative appeal with the Social Security Appeals Council (CRPS). In the appeal, it is advisable to include additional medical documentation, such as specialists’ reports, imaging tests, and detailed reports that support the need for leave.

To extend a benefit, the request must be filed at least 15 days before the end of the granted period. In that case, INSS requires an in-person evaluation or a Connected Medical Examination (Perícia Conectada, by video conference). An extension cannot be granted through document review alone. This rule exists because an extension presupposes the need to re-evaluate, in person, how the insured person’s medical condition has progressed.

The system also lets the insured person report the date symptoms began (DIS) and indicate whether the condition is work-related. When there is a connection to work, the medical expert may recognize the Social Security Technical Link (Nexo Técnico Previdenciário, or NTEP). This converts the benefit from ordinary sickness benefit (B31) to work-related sickness benefit (B91), which guarantees job security for 12 months after the worker returns to work.

Practical Advantages for Workers

For workers who need to take leave for health reasons, the expanded Atestmed means less red tape and greater speed. Instead of waiting weeks for an in-person examination, you may have your benefit granted within a few days based on your medical documentation. This is especially important for insured people who live in areas with few INSS offices or long waiting lists for medical examinations.

In addition, Atestmed reduces the physical and emotional strain on insured people who are undergoing medical treatment and would have difficulty getting to an office for an in-person examination. Document review preserves the insured person’s right to a qualified technical evaluation, without requiring an appearance that could worsen their health.

Recommended Documentation for Atestmed

The quality of the documentation you submit is decisive for the success of an Atestmed request. Beyond the mandatory minimum requirements, you can strengthen your application by including reports from physicians who specialize in the diagnosed condition, recent results of complementary tests (within 30 days), a detailed report on the ongoing treatment, and a statement from your employer confirming that you cannot perform your usual duties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which documents does Atestmed accept for review without an in-person examination?

Atestmed accepts medical certificates, specialists’ reports, hospitalization reports, and laboratory and imaging tests, as long as they identify the physician (name, CRM number, and signature) and include the diagnosis with its ICD code, the date of issue, and the length of leave. All documents must be legible and submitted as scanned copies through Meu INSS.

Can I extend a benefit granted through Atestmed without an in-person examination?

No. An extension requires an in-person evaluation or a Connected Medical Examination (Perícia Conectada, by video conference). The extension request must be filed at least 15 days before the current benefit ends, through Meu INSS or by calling Central 135. The medical expert will evaluate how your condition has progressed to decide whether to extend the leave.

What happens if my Atestmed request is denied?

The insured person has 30 days to file an administrative appeal with the CRPS. It is advisable to include additional medical documentation with the appeal. If the appeal is also denied, you can turn to the courts by filing a lawsuit in the Federal Special Court (Juizado Especial Federal), where an independent court-appointed physician will conduct the medical examination.

As informações deste artigo são de caráter informativo e não substituem consulta jurídica individualizada. Cada caso possui particularidades que exigem análise específica.