Northeast Colombia hospital unable to provide cancer treatment for 85 children

[Judi Lynn]

Northeast Colombia hospital unable to provide cancer treatment for 85 children
Posted by Jonathon Orta on Sep 10, 2015

A total of 85 children with cancer and other hematological illnesses in northeastern Colombia have been left without medical service after health insurance provider, Saludcoop, has failed to pay nearly $650 thousand it owes to the hospital.

The San Luis Maternal and Children’s Clinic stopped providing services to the patients this weekend due to lack of payment by the “ESP” — private institutions in Colombia that provide health insurance plans and are responsible for reimbursing hospitals for services. Saludcoop owes the clinic in northeastern city of Bucaramanga $642 thousand which has accumulated over the last two years.

According to W Radio, after repeated attempts by the clinic to settle the debt, the clinic decided to suspend services to pressure the insurance provider into providing payment.

Executive Director of the Fundación Viva, Nury Villalba, said 14 patients are actively receiving treatment by the hospital. In a public statement Villalba stated “patients cannot be hindered or prevented medical treatment because of internal procedure between health agencies…these bureaucratic processes…shouldn’t affect the protection offered by the State” as reported by Vanguardia.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/northeast-colombia-hospital-unable-to-provide-cancer-treatment-for-85-children/

[IreneSuarez]

1. EPS companies improvement

I am very sad to read the news. I'm from Colombia and that the health system is improving, but companies like EPS Saludcoop (more info in: http://tramitescolombia.co/saludcoop) Sura, etc, have yet to make much progress. I hope people can receive the treatment he needs for his health.