GeSY overhaul: HIO announces targeted reforms to hospital unit allocations and GP evaluations by 2027

Local healthHospitalTop News GeSY overhaul: HIO announces targeted reforms to hospital unit allocations and GP evaluations by 2027 Gesyyyyygiatrok 768x428 1 Relevant News Police arrest 29-year-old suspect over series of copper cable thefts in Nicosia district 18 July 2026 GeSY overhaul: HIO announces targeted reforms to hospital unit allocations and GP evaluations by 2027 18 July 2026 Fading paint and safety risks: Municipalities spend over €100k annually to maintain pedestrian crossings 18 July 2026 Marilena Panayi 18 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Major revisions to the General Healthcare System (GeSY) are scheduled for the coming year, including changes to hospital unit allocations for specialized care and a new evaluation framework for Personal Doctors. In an interview with Phileleftheros, Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) General Director Ifigenia Kammitsi confirmed that the organization is open to adopting recent proposals from patient advocacy groups and medical professionals. However, she emphasized that modifications will only be implemented where there is a scientifically documented need, noting that a complex healthcare framework cannot remain static or immune to adjustment. Kammitsi acknowledged that the lack of long-term and home care facilities remains one of the system’s most significant vulnerabilities, causing patients to languish in hospitals due to the absence of appropriate discharge structures. She outlined the organization’s immediate priorities, which include enhancing preventative medicine, strengthening the role of Personal Doctors, curbing system abuse, and accelerating digital transformation. Adapting to System Needs The HIO General Director stressed that the proposed changes do not alter the fundamental philosophy of GeSY but serve to adapt the system to the evolving requirements of patients, healthcare providers, and broader society. She noted that no health system remains stagnant, as it must evolve alongside population needs, medical science, and technology. Addressing concerns from doctors and patients regarding strict horizontal regulations that allegedly cause unnecessary patient movement or bureaucratic delays, Kammitsi explained that maintaining a balance between unhindered patient access, clinical autonomy, and rational resource management is a constant challenge. The organization is actively reviewing feedback regarding horizontal restrictions. Kammitsi clarified that existing control mechanisms and performance indicators are not designed to hinder medical professionals or obstruct patient pathways. However, she recognized that the blanket application of certain measures can occasionally create operational friction or fail to address individualized patient needs. Consequently, the HIO is utilizing data analysis and stakeholder dialogue to identify and rectify these systemic dysfunctions. Hospital Remuneration and Specialized Care Responding to ongoing criticism of the HIO’s unit-based remuneration model—where hospitals are allocated a monthly cap of compensated medical procedures, leading to reduced payouts if exceeded—Kammitsi announced targeted structural changes. She stated that the HIO is currently collaborating with relevant stakeholders to redefine the prerequisites for conducting highly specialized medical procedures. Upon completing this regulatory process, the organization plans to implement a new unit distribution model for specialized inpatient care by January 2027, ensuring that hospitals can provide uninterrupted, high-quality services without financial penalization. New Evaluation Framework for Personal Doctors The HIO is continuously assessing the operational scope of Personal Doctors, including their prescribing habits, referral rates, and diagnostic requests. Kammitsi indicated that the organization is moving to simplify existing regulations to better align with everyday clinical practice. As part of this initiative, the HIO has begun revising its performance indicators and quality criteria for Personal Doctors, utilizing feedback from scientific medical societies. The objective is to establish fairer, more representative metrics directly linked to the quality of care. This is particularly relevant as the system transitions to a 70-30 remuneration model, where 70% of a physician’s compensation is based on their registered patient roster and 30% depends on meeting specific performance criteria. Kammitsi strongly refuted claims that referral indicators act as punitive horizontal restrictions. She clarified that these metrics merely evaluate general referral patterns without limiting a doctor’s clinical judgment or preventing medically necessary referrals. Out of 15 total performance criteria, only three evaluate referral practices concerning specialists, imaging, and laboratory tests. Furthermore, the HIO provides Clinical Referral Guidelines to scientifically support Personal Doctors and elevate service quality. The Long-Term Care Bottleneck The General Director acknowledged that long-term care, alongside home-based medical and nursing services, requires urgent expansion due to an aging population and rising chronic disease rates. While the HIO is continuously enriching the home nursing services provided through GeSY and has expanded financial incentives to encourage doctors across various specialties to conduct home visits, Kammitsi warned that long-term healthcare requires a comprehensive, state-level strategic plan. Although long-term care structures fall outside the current GeSY mandate, their absence directly paralyzes the system. Kammitsi explained that without appropriate facilities, patients requiring continuous custodial care rather than acute medical treatment or institutional rehabilitation remain trapped in hospital beds for extended periods. This bottleneck negatively impacts both the patients’ quality of life and the rational utilization of hospital resources. Consequently, the HIO is supporting state authorities in developing a holistic framework for long-term and home care. Looking ahead, the organization will focus on early diagnosis, better care coordination, and upgrading internal digital governance tools to provide more accessible, citizen-friendly services while tightening anti-abuse mechanisms. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Police arrest 29-year-old suspect over series of copper cable thefts in Nicosia district Fading paint and safety risks: Municipalities spend over €100k annually to maintain pedestrian crossings Paradox of the buffer zone: How a symbol of division became Cyprus’s unexpected wildlife haven Shock inspection reveals 90 dangerous Turkish Cypriot properties facing collapse in Larnaca Cabinet sparks outrage in Limassol by pushing through €95m mall approval despite traffic warnings DISY pauses presidential election talks ahead of Guterres Cyprus visit despite internal campaign friction Squatters block public access to Larnaca beach after turning private land into makeshift caravan resort Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.