​- Dissemination of the new procedure throughout the country will begin in May.

Bogota (DC), 19 April 2016. Starting June this year, every individual in Colombia requiring medication, technologies or procedures that are n​ot covered by the mandatory health plan (POS) may receive them without authorization of the health promotion organizations (EPSs).

 This was achieved through Resolution 1328 of 2016 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with the aim to simplify procedures for the user, when, having completed the therapeutic technologies contained in the POS, they still require medications or procedures not included in the health benefit plan.

 It is important to note that this resolution is a development of the Statutory Health Law (Law 1751 of 2015), which established health as a fundamental right in Colombia.

 For this, the Ministry developed a web application where health professionals who are registered in the Registry of Human Talent in Health (Rethus) may prescribe and record requests for patients who require it, without EPS authorization.

 The presentation of the application and its features for registered users will be held during May through classroom training and videoconferencing. Additionally, videos and short notes will be published to facilitate the use of this tool.

 The Resolution determines the access procedure, prescription reporting, guarantee of supply, recognition, payment, analysis of the information on health services and technologies not covered in the health benefits plan charged to the capitation payment unit (UPC).

 "This new mechanism will improve control of public resources and will strengthen the autonomy of health professionals in making decisions related to the diagnosis and treatment of patients, in addition to the provision of information for self-regulation," said Deputy Minister of Social Protection, Carmen Eugenia Dávila.

 According to the Ministry, the issuance of the Resolution will allow users of the General System of Social Security in Health (SGSSS) to access, in a timely manner and without authorization by the EPSs, health technologies and services not covered by the plan benefits according to the decisions by the Constitutional Court regarding the redesign of the verification, control and payment system of the recoveries system.

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