Government issued a decree that forces the transfer of millions of users to Nueva EPS, despite its crisis
The Ministry of Health issued a decree establishing new rules for the operation of EPS in different territories of Colombia....
TL;DR
- New Ministry of Health decree limits the number of EPS operating in Colombian territories based on population size and market share.
- EPS with fewer than one million affiliates may continue operating unless their market share in a department falls below 3%.
- Departments have specific minimum EPS participation percentages based on population size.
- Millions of users will be transferred to larger EPS, with over 2.6 million expected to go to Nueva EPS.
- The decree aims to organize health insurance, ensure economies of scale, and prevent systemic risks.
- Critics, including Representative Andrés Forero, argue the decree disregards previous rulings and forces patients into a struggling EPS.
- President Gustavo Petro defends the decree, citing cost savings and improved efficiency through territorialization.
- Former minister Alejandro Gaviria criticizes the decision as inhumane and lacking justification.
- Users transferred to a new EPS must wait 60 days before they can request a transfer, with exceptions for family reunification and indigenous communities.
- Subsidized and public contributive EPS must contract at least 60% of their health spending with local State Social Enterprises (ESE).