More than 650 patients have travelled, or remain abroad, for medical treatment through Cyprus' Gesy health system since the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) assumed responsibility for the programme in October 2025.
During the programme's first 11 months under HIO management, 1,234 applications were submitted, of which 889 were approved, representing an approval rate of 72%.
A total of 657 patients either travelled or continue to receive treatment outside Cyprus.
HIO outlines process
The figures were presented to the House Health Committee by HIO director Monica Kyriakou, who outlined the process followed from the submission of an application to the approval decision and transfer abroad.
Kyriakou said the organisation introduced a unified framework aimed at ensuring similar cases are assessed consistently and that all patients receive equal treatment.
Before taking over the programme, HIO reviewed the system previously operated by the Health Ministry and developed its own set of published internal procedures and regulations.
Three categories of cases
Cases are divided into three categories:
- Life-threatening
- Urgent
- Routine
For patients whose lives are in immediate danger, decisions must be taken without delay and transfers abroad should be completed within 48 hours.
Urgent cases must be sent within seven days, while routine cases should be processed within 30 days.
42-minute average for critical cases
Life-threatening applications are assessed through a 24-hour hotline service, with requests reviewed by both an on-duty officer and a supervisor.
According to HIO data, the average assessment time for life-threatening cases is 42 minutes.
Urgent applications are assessed within an average of one day, while routine cases are reviewed within approximately six days.
Once approved:
- Life-threatening cases depart within an average of one day.
- Urgent cases are transferred within four days.
- Routine cases leave within 22 days.
Classifications can change
Kyriakou said Gesy doctors are responsible for electronically submitting applications and initially classifying the severity of each case.
However, HIO experts may reassess cases and alter their priority status if they determine the original classification was incorrect.
The organisation has identified instances where the initial categorisation did not accurately reflect the patient's condition.
Incomplete applications can be rejected
The HIO also stressed the importance of correctly completed applications.
Apart from cases where treatment is available in Cyprus and overseas referral is considered unnecessary, applications may also be rejected because they were submitted incorrectly or lacked the required medical information.
Ongoing treatment abroad
Patients already receiving treatment overseas can continue to access support if additional care or extensions are required.
According to information presented to MPs, foreign hospitals may contact the HIO directly when a patient requires an extension of treatment or additional services.
For patients whose initial referral was approved by the Health Ministry before the HIO took over the programme, the organisation obtains the original file and submits all relevant documentation to its experts for review.
The experts then determine whether the additional treatment is a continuation of the original medical need or constitutes a new service that must be assessed separately.
