Health Ministry Decree Redefines EPS Map and Orders Reassignment of Affiliates in Five Business Days

Decree 0182 sets a minimum of 5%, 10%, and 15% depending on departmental population. Photo: iStock

Health Ministry Decree Redefines EPS Map and Orders Reassignment of Affiliates in Five Business Days

TL;DR

  • Decree 0182 redefines the territorial scope of EPS and establishes new permanence criteria.
  • Entities with low participation in certain territories will exit those markets, with users being specially assigned by the state.
  • Rules are differentiated by departmental population, setting minimum participation percentages for EPS to operate.
  • Municipalities also have limits on the number of EPS allowed to operate, based on population size.
  • The territorial scope update is valid for five years, with renewal dependent on meeting verified conditions.
  • Affiliates will be reassigned within five business days, and EPS will have 15 days to prepare for service continuity.
  • After 60 days, affiliates can freely transfer to another operating EPS in their municipality.
  • EPS under administrative measures have additional reporting obligations, and indigenous EPS (EPSI) are prioritized for indigenous affiliates.
  • The government is introducing structural changes to affiliate distribution and EPS permanence.