An analysis by the Retorno Vital Foundation, based on data from 3,102 patients from all regimens, diagnoses and regions of the country, concluded that there is an increase in access barriers for users of the intervened EPS. Although difficulties have always existed, there is currently a significant worsening of the response times of the health system to the patient, which went from 90 to 150 and 200 days.
Specifically, these access barriers mean that appointment times with a general practitioner increased from 45 to 70 days, with specialists from 126 to 210 days, and medication delivery from 30 to 97 days. This analysis, which compares the data between the first and second half of 2023, was revealed within the framework of the Andi Health Forum and 30th Pharmaceutical Forum, which is taking place this week in the city of Cartagena.
Jorge García, Director of the Retorno Vital Foundation, explained that, in addition to the delays in medical appointments, because there is no agenda available, and in the delivery of medications, there is a worrying interruption of treatments: “Patients who need treatment for 12 months are receiving 4.7% of it, not even half of what they need to guarantee their stability. That is, they are system resources that are being lost because if there is no continuity in the treatments, the patient loses adherence, which represents a setback in their health.
The population that most reports health access barriers are women at 62% and the most affected ages range between 51 and 60 years.
Women are the ones who have the greatest barriers to access.
Photo:Getty Images
In the case of patients in the contributory regime, The entities that presented the most risk situations for their users were Nueva EPS, Sanitas, Sura EPS, Famisanar Salud Total, Compensar, Western Health System SOS according to the cases filed through the SUAP platform.
Nueva EPS is one of the EPS with the greatest risks for patients.
Photo:Google Maps
For the subsidized regime, The main barriers and the greatest difficulties reported were with Emssanar, Asmet Salud, Coosalud, Nueva Eps, Mutual Ser, Capital Salud, Savia Salud.
Retorno Vital called to continue working to find solutions to the crisis in the sector, since today the lack of trust we have has caused services to stop being provided and those affected are the users.
The report data
The main access barrier identified was the delay in assigning medical appointments, which affected therapeutic adherence due to difficulties in reformulation, control of clinical indicators, clinical effectiveness and continuity of treatments.
Secondly, there is the population diagnosed with Atopic Dermatitis; thirdly, patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis; fourthly, patients with psoriasis, and, fifthly, patients with prostate cancer.
The population with familial hypercholesterolemia, hypercholesterolemia, nasal polyps, Osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, breast cancer, ankylosing spondylitis, severe asthma, melanoma, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, ischemic heart disease, osteoarthritis, colon cancer, mixed hyperlipidemia, glaucoma among others were also seen. impacted by administrative inefficiencies that limit access to the health system.
“In the current context of medical care in Colombia, it is imperative to explore in detail patients’ perceptions of barriers to access to health. This in-depth analysis will allow us to understand individual experiences in the face of the challenges that the population faces when seek medical attention”says the report.
EDWIN CAICEDO
Environment and health journalist
@CaicedoUcros
