The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) is raising the retirement age for healthcare professionals in the General Healthcare System (GHS) – but with a twist.
In a move aimed at creating opportunities for younger providers, the HIO board has decided to set a mandatory retirement age of 75.
This policy, requiring legislative approval, will impact all healthcare professionals in the GHS, from doctors and nurses to therapists and other specialists. While the 75-year limit applies universally, the HIO is implementing a transitional period to ease the change.
Existing professionals aged 70 and above will be granted a five-year grace period, allowing them to continue practising in the GHS until they reach 75 or 80 depending on their current age.
Andreas Papaconstantinou, the HIO’s General Director, explained that the policy aligns with the organisation’s plan to enhance the quality of care provided within the GHS. By creating openings vacated by retiring professionals, the GHS aims to attract more young doctors and other healthcare providers.
Papaconstantinou argued that this influx of talent will not only benefit patients but may also contribute to the financial sustainability of the system, although details on the financial impact haven’t been elaborated on.
“This measure aims to create more favourable conditions for young doctors and other healthcare professionals to join the system, since, with the departure of doctors over 75 years of age, more opportunities will be created for the young,” he said.
Asked why the 75-year limit was chosen, he noted that “the 75-year limit was considered a reasonable limit since it potentially gives another 10 years of honourable service to the healthcare professional from the established retirement age of 65 years.”
Currently, around 70 doctors over 75 years old participate in the GHS, representing a small portion of the overall workforce (4% of personal physicians and 2% of specialists). The HIO is confident that the five-year grace period will minimise disruption and allow a smooth transition for both patients and healthcare providers.
“This measure will not directly affect existing healthcare professionals since this would cause a general upheaval in the system. That is why the HIO board decided to provide a five-year transitional period so that each participant in GHS can smoothly adapt to the new regulations,” Papaconstantinou said.
Finally, he clarified that doctors who retire but retain their license to practice will be able to continue to provide services outside the GHS.
