Cyprus proposes legislative amendments to GHS for tighter regulatory control

The Cyprus Ministry of Health has initiated a public consultation process regarding two new bills aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework of the General Healthcare System (GHS). These proposals grant the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) significantly expanded powers, including the authority to impose administrative fines reaching up to 600,000 euros for repeat breaches, compared to the previous cap of 30,000 euros. Additionally, the HIO will be empowered to conduct payment audits spanning up to 12 years in instances involving suspected fraud and will have the legal capacity to restrict the admission of new service providers to the system.

A key provision introduced in Article 25 of the second bill addresses the establishment of a maximum age limit for all healthcare professionals operating within the GHS. While the specific age threshold remains undefined, the provision applies broadly to all providers rather than being limited to specific medical specialties. This move follows prolonged public and parliamentary discussions regarding the age of doctors. Furthermore, the legislation requires insurance companies to contribute annually to GHS costs. The bills are currently undergoing public consultation as the HIO works to finalize these regulatory reforms and streamline referral protocols to improve patient management efficiency.