The situation of the new EPS with the passing of days seems not to improve and its future is not optimal. After the Comptroller General of the Republic warned of financial findings of the entity, the Prosecutor’s Office called its former director for alleged detours and subsequently the president, Gustavo Petro, He predicted the liquidation of the EPS that affiliates more than 11 million Colombians.
While any of the scenarios is dangerous, especially for patients, experts in the sector believe that The liquidation will not solve the problems of the entity and its time would increase the crisis that the country’s health system lives today.
(See:Supersalud orders new EPS to legalize payments with providers)
According to Augusto Galán, director of Thus we are in health and former minister of the portfolio, to talk about a liquidation of the new EPS, it would be to raise a “smoke curtain” on the responsibility that the government is responsible for the Government on the EPS. “Liquidating it may be an option, but it is really not adequate, because what would generate is a systemic crisis”He said.
To the above is added that although the entity faces financial sustainability problems, making this type of decisions would bring consequences for users and patients who are affiliated with it. According to Galán, in the event that it would be settled, “”Where do you know those 11 million affiliates, to which EPS OA which EPS in the current circumstances? Liquidation would not seem adequate”
The opinion is shared, because Jesús Abrey González, president of the Bar Association in Medical Law, assured Portafolio that liquidating the new EPS would be “disastrous“For health providers. This, because so far”State has not been responsible for the debts of the liquidation”
(Read more: ‘Fraud’: petro, vehement with former director of Nueva EPS, after report of the CGR)
Experts say that liquidating the new EPS is not adequate.
New EPS courtesy
Although during the president’s interventions there was talk of the liquidation of the new EPS, in statements delivered by the Minister of Health, Guillermo A. Jaramillo, to W Radio, He assured that a liquidation of the entity will not be made as an immediate measure.
“No. If we had to liquidate, then we would have to liquidate all the EPS. All must be liquidated”Said the official referring to other entities that face similar financial conditions.
Now, another dispute is now lived with the entity. Yesterday the Superintendence of Health ordered this EPS to implement an intensive legalization plan with the providers, After the findings presented by the Comptroller.
However, another crossing of terms occurred as the Superintendent, Giovanny Rubiano García, clarified that What in the report is called as advances, corresponds to payments for services already provided that have not been charged with specific invoices.
“The Comptroller’s report is called advances to paid monies that still new EPS has not said what invoice the providers should apply in their accounting records and also new EPS in their own accounting“, said.
(See also: New EPS statutory reform opens a way to financial risk and in care network)
Experts say that contrary to what should happen with an intervened EPS, it would seem that the new EPS has been increasing the number of affiliates.
Cesar Melgarejo – Portfolio
Patient transfer?
Portfolio knew that from other EPS, patients would be directed to refer to the new EPS. Given this situation, Augusto Galán, indicated that it is a possibility. “That is something that is not clear, because contrary to what should happen with an intervened EPS, it would seem that the new EPS has been increasing the number of affiliates. Yes, there could be something there”He said.
For his part, Jesús Albrey González said that freedom of choice is not being affected. “The only thing that could achieve this is the liquidation of other EPS and that its affiliates arrive by means of allocation to the new EPS. By way of decree, mass transfers cannot be made against the will of affiliates”He said.
(Read: Patients Colombia asks the Supersalud for investigations for crisis in EPS intervened)
Diana K. Rodríguez T.
Portfolio journalist
