Within the framework of the administrative intervention led by the National Superintendency of Health to NEW EPS, under the direction of Dr. Julio Alberto Rincón Ramírez, payments have been made to the company’s care network for a total value of $11.56 billion pesos . Since last April, a total of 2,264 health service providers have received these transfers, divided between the Contributory and Subsidized regimes.
Distribution of payments and transparency in management
Until October 11, payments were made to 2,019 providers of the Subsidized Regime for $5.57 billion, while 2,109 IPS of the Contributory Regime received $5.99 billion. Dr. Rincón highlighted the continuous effort to maintain a constant flow of resources to contracted providers throughout the country, ensuring the sustainability of the provision of health services.
The details of these payments can be consulted by any citizen on the official NEW EPS website, where the transfers made are updated weekly, thus allowing transparency in the management of public resources destined for health. «It is a commitment that everyone knows how health resources are being allocated. The information must be public and accessible to everyone,” said the intervening agent.
Problems with the distribution of medicines and the situation of AUDIFARMA
One of the most significant challenges faced by the intervention has to do with the delivery of medications to NEW EPS members. Currently, medication delivery times have generated dissatisfaction among users, a situation that is aggravated due to differences with pharmaceutical operators such as AUDIFARMA.
Dr. Rincón explained that, although some medications have had shortage problems, the lack of delivery is also due to financial conflicts with operators. In meetings with the Association of Pharmaceutical Research and Development Laboratories (AFIDRO), it was highlighted that the pharmaceutical industry had blocked the distribution of medicines to AUDIFARMA due to alleged non-payments. However, Dr. Rincón clarified that NEW EPS has complied with payments and has even paid more than what was billed to ensure the correct provision of services to users.
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Guarantees for patients and new approaches in distribution
To ensure that patients receive their treatments, NEW EPS has taken measures to transfer the care of 5,043 AUDIFARMA patients to other contracted IPS networks, complying with high quality standards and the regulations of the High Cost Account. In addition, the entity has formally requested AUDIFARMA to guarantee the delivery of medicines for a minimum period of six months, while the current difficulties are resolved.
NEW EPS has also enabled service channels, such as its call center and digital platforms, for users to report problems in the provision of services, thus seeking a faster and more effective solution.
New strategies and dialogues with the pharmaceutical industry
Faced with the complex scenario with pharmaceutical operators, NEW EPS is implementing a strategy that seeks to decentralize the distribution of medicines, favoring smaller operators that can reach different regions of the country. This measure aims to avoid interruptions in supply and guarantee the continuity of treatments, regardless of the administrative procedures that must be faced.
«We want delivery to be made in hospitals and health centers close to users, avoiding the long lines and delays that have affected our members. We are advancing in conversations with important players in the sector, and we hope to reach agreements in October and November to improve distribution throughout the territory,” concluded Dr. Rincón.
The intervention of NEW EPS reflects an effort to strengthen the care network and ensure transparency in the management of public resources, although the challenges with operators such as AUDIFARMA continue to be a critical point that must be resolved to guarantee the well-being of its millions of members. in Colombia.
Measures and transparency in resource management
Since the intervention began, NEW EPS has sought to improve contracts with pharmaceutical operators to reduce user dissatisfaction, especially in the delivery of medications. According to the entity, transparency is key in this process, and for this reason they enabled channels so that citizens can consult the payments made, ensuring a constant flow of resources to the providers.
Given the situation with Audifarma, a tripartite technical table was scheduled, with the support of the National Superintendency of Health, for October 23, in which it is expected to resolve the differences in figures and achieve a conciliation that will guarantee continuity in the delivery of medicines.
Impact on care and search for solutions
The intervening agent stressed that the crisis with Audifarma is only part of the challenges facing NEW EPS, but that measures are being taken to guarantee that patients do not suffer interruptions in their treatments. “We want the delivery of medicines to be carried out in hospitals and health centers close to the users, avoiding the long lines and delays that have affected our members,” Rincón concluded.
The situation continues to be monitored, and the expectation is that the October and November conversations with the pharmaceutical industry will result in agreements that improve distribution and ensure access to medications for all NEW EPS members.
Highlight 1: Until October 11, payments were made to 2,019 providers of the Subsidized Regime for $5.57 billion, while 2,109 IPS of the Contributory Regime received $5.99 billion.
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