Colombia's Ministry of Health (MinSalud) revoked a decision by the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología to suspend services for patients affiliated with Nueva EPS [1, 2].
The move prevents a critical gap in oncology care for thousands of citizens during a period of intense financial instability within the national healthcare system. Because cancer treatment requires strict continuity, any interruption in care can lead to irreversible health declines for patients.
MinSalud issued the order on April 30, 2026 [2, 4]. The ministry said it will file a criminal complaint if the institute maintains the suspension of services [2].
The Instituto Nacional de Cancerología had restricted care for new patients from Nueva EPS due to an accumulated debt of approximately 146,000 million pesos [3]. The institute sought to protect its operational capacity against the insurer's financial failures.
This dispute occurs amid a broader crisis for Nueva EPS. The insurer faces judicial seizures totaling 2.1 trillion pesos [5]. Additionally, a tribunal previously ordered the provisional suspension of a government plan to transfer six million patients to the insurer [6].
MinSalud said the institute must follow government guidelines to ensure the continuity of service regardless of the payment disputes between the provider and the insurer [1, 2].
“MinSalud said it will file a criminal complaint if the institute maintains the suspension of services.”
This confrontation highlights the systemic fragility of Colombia's healthcare financing. When a primary cancer center halts care over unpaid debts, it signals a collapse in the payment flow between insurers (EPS) and providers. By threatening criminal charges, the government is prioritizing immediate patient access over the contractual rights of the healthcare provider, though it does not resolve the underlying multi-trillion peso deficit facing Nueva EPS.
