The Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) announced it will stop accepting new oncology patients affiliated with the Nueva EPS health insurer starting May 1, 2026 [1].

This suspension threatens the continuity of care for thousands of patients [3] facing critical illnesses. The move highlights a deepening financial crisis within Colombia's healthcare payment system, where disputes between providers and insurers can lead to the immediate cessation of life-saving treatments.

The decision follows a failure to reach a payment agreement between the Bogotá-based institute and the insurer. A spokesperson for the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología said, "No fue posible concretar compromisos relacionados con pagos por servicios" [2].

The financial rift is rooted in a significant increase in arrears. According to the Nueva EPS interventor, cited by the institute, outstanding debts from the insurer to the facility increased four-fold in two years [4].

The announcement, made on April 30, 2026, creates an immediate hurdle for patients seeking specialized cancer care. While the institute has not detailed the status of patients already under treatment, the block on new admissions prevents thousands from entering the care pipeline [3].

The INC is a primary center for oncology in Colombia. The inability to secure funding for services means the facility cannot sustain the costs of new admissions without guaranteed payment from the Nueva EPS.

“"No fue posible concretar compromisos relacionados con pagos por servicios"”

This conflict underscores a systemic failure in the Colombian health insurance model, where the 'EPS' intermediaries often struggle with liquidity. When a premier institution like the INC halts services, it creates a bottleneck in the national healthcare system, potentially forcing patients to seek legal recourse through 'tutelas' (injunctions) to guarantee their constitutional right to health.