Wednesday marks three years on from the introduction of the national health scheme (Gesy) in Cyprus – a measure that undisputedly has improved the quality of life of ordinary people, according to studies.
However, abuses of the health care system continue – one of them being the large number of unjustified referrals issued by personal doctors to other Gesy providers.
That’s why the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO), which runs it, is going ahead with the implementation of a series of measures which concern the improvement of the operation of personal doctors and the referral system.
In a written statement on Tuesday HIO also said these include performance criteria linked to the renumeration of personal doctors and which also relate to their behavior as regards referrals to specialist doctors. As well as for lab tests and X-rays and other diagnostic examinations.
The HIO is also stepping up quality checks of referrals and will be taking action against those personal doctors who do not comply with its instructions.
Other measures planned are the drawing up of guidelines on referrals, training and age criteria for the participation of doctors in the system.
