in-cyprus 5 September 2024 - by Marilena Panayi
Cyprus is expanding the list of specialist doctors who can visit patients at home and be reimbursed by the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO).
The HIO is also increasing the reimbursement amount for home visits by specialist doctors. The aim is to encourage doctors to provide home care to patients who cannot easily access medical services.
Previously, only geriatricians, pulmonologists, and ENT specialists could conduct home visits for bedridden patients. Now, the list has been expanded to include general surgery, plastic surgery, and doctors with a special interest in intensive care.
The HIO has doubled the reimbursement amount for personal physicians’ home visits from €30 to €60. The reimbursement amount for specialist doctors’ home visits has also been increased to €80 per visit.
HIO director Athos Tsinontidis said: “Our goal is to serve patients who genuinely need home visits from their doctors. Everyone understands that when someone is bedridden, it’s not easy to travel to a doctor’s office. So, by increasing the number of specialities and the reimbursement amount for home visits, we believe our patients will receive better care at home without additional hassle.”
