Hospitals across Antioquia are suspending outpatient services for Coosalud affiliates due to unpaid debts totaling approximately 15 billion pesos [3, 4].

The suspension threatens the healthcare access of hundreds of thousands of residents in a region already struggling with medical infrastructure gaps. If outpatient services remain blocked, patients may flood emergency rooms for routine care, potentially collapsing local hospital capacity.

The measure affects 44 municipalities [7], including major facilities such as the Hospital General de Medellín and the Clínica del Prado [2, 3]. The debt owed by the health provider, Coosalud, to the Hospital General de Medellín alone is estimated at 15 billion pesos [3, 4].

Reports vary on the exact number of patients impacted. Some estimates place the figure at 400,000 affiliates [1], while other reports indicate up to 467,000 users could be left without outpatient care [2].

There is also conflicting information regarding when the service suspensions began. Some reports said the measures took effect on June 8 [5], while other sources said the suspension was set to begin on July 17 [6].

The suspension involves both public and private hospitals within the department [2]. This broad shutdown reflects a growing financial crisis within the regional healthcare payment system, where providers are unable to maintain operations without timely reimbursement from the health insurance entity.

“Up to 467,000 users could be left without outpatient care.”

This crisis highlights the systemic fragility of Colombia's healthcare financing model, where the failure of a single health insurance provider (EPS) can trigger a domino effect across an entire region. By suspending outpatient services, hospitals are attempting to force payment, but the immediate result is a critical gap in preventative care that often leads to higher long-term costs and increased mortality for chronic patients.