The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) has announced a significant increase in compensation for home visits by personal physicians.
Effective August 1, 2024, the fee for each home visit to a permanently bedridden patient has doubled from €30 to €60.
This decision aims to improve healthcare access for patients with limited mobility. The HIO has recognised the challenges faced by bedridden patients in accessing necessary medical care.
Andreas Papaconstantinou, the HIO’s General Director told Phileleftheros that this change aims to better serve GHS beneficiaries who require home visits from their doctors. He noted that the previous compensation of €30 did not seem to incentivise physicians, as the amount proved to be insufficient considering the time required for such visits.
The Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations (CyFPA) has welcomed the move, highlighting the importance of home visits for severely ill patients. However, the organisation has emphasised the need for further improvements, such as increased home visits by nurses and other healthcare professionals.
The Federation’s President, Charalambos Papadopoulos, commented: “Our goal is not to spend GHS’s funds recklessly or without considering the patients’ best interests. In this case, we believe the HIO has made the right decision as it addresses a significant gap. Many of our patients only had a personal physician in name, relying solely on phone consultations.”
He added, “It’s a step in the right direction. Home visits by physicians are essential for bedridden patients. However, there’s still much to be done, such as seriously considering home visits by nurses or other healthcare professionals for these patients, as their inability to visit their doctors’ offices means they struggle to access the necessary healthcare services in general.”
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