Colombia's Ministry of Health and Social Protection (Minsalud) has blocked the National Institute of Cancerology (INC) from suspending care for new Nueva EPS patients.
The decision prevents a potential healthcare crisis for oncology patients in Bogotá. Any restriction on these specialized services could jeopardize the constitutional right to health for thousands of citizens.
Minsalud said the restriction announced by the institute is unauthorized. The ministry said that it will file criminal and disciplinary complaints if the INC proceeds to suspend care for Nueva EPS users [1], [2], [3]. Officials said that such a measure contradicts the Statutory Health Law, which prioritizes patient access to life-saving treatments over administrative or financial disputes [1], [3].
The conflict stems from financial tensions between the provider and the insurer. Reports indicate that debts owed by the National Institute of Cancerology to Nueva EPS quadrupled over a period of two years [2]. This financial instability led the institute to consider limiting the intake of new patients from the specific health provider.
There are conflicting reports regarding the current status of care. Some sources said the institute announced a temporary restriction that would block new patients from Nueva EPS [2], [3]. However, other reports said the institute clarified that it continues to provide care to patients [1].
Minsalud said the continuity of service is non-negotiable. The ministry is now monitoring the situation to ensure that no patient is denied access to cancer treatments due to the ongoing dispute between the institute and the insurer [1], [2].
“Minsalud said that it will file criminal and disciplinary complaints if the INC proceeds to suspend care.”
This dispute highlights the systemic financial fragility of Colombia's healthcare model, where providers and insurers frequently clash over payment delays. By threatening criminal charges, the government is asserting that patient care must remain decoupled from financial disputes, signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward service interruptions in critical care sectors like oncology.
