Health Insurance Organization reports on medical transfers abroad

Since October 2025, when the Health Insurance Organization (HIO) assumed control of the program for medical treatment abroad under the national health system (GeSY), 657 patients have traveled or remain abroad for care. Data presented by HIO Director Monika Kyriakou to the Parliamentary Health Committee reveal that 1,234 applications were submitted in the first eleven months, with 889 approved, marking a 72% approval rate. The HIO established standardized internal regulations to ensure consistent treatment across similar cases, following a transition from the previous framework managed by the Ministry of Health.

The organization has implemented strict response timelines based on urgency. Life-threatening cases are processed within an average of 42 minutes, with patient transport occurring within one day. Urgent cases are decided within one day and transported within four days, while routine cases are processed within six days and transported within 22 days. All these performance metrics currently fall within the internal limits set by the HIO. A 24-hour hotline is operational for life-threatening emergencies, managed by an on-duty officer and a supervisor to expedite the approval and transfer process.