General Health System (Cyprus)
GeSY (Greek: Γενικό Σύστημα Υγείας (ΓεΣΥ), Genikó Sýstima Ygeías, English: General Healthcare System, GHS[1]) is the universal health insurance system of Cyprus.
The original GeSY legislation was passed in 2001, but the three government bills and regulations introducing the system were only agreed by parliament on 16 June 2017 after prolonged negotiations led by Yiorgos Pamboridis, the health minister. It is to be fully operational by July 1, 2020.[2]
The running of these service is in the hands of the Health Insurance Organisation.
Costs
From 1 March 2019 the scheme will cover out-of-hospital care. Employees and pensioners, income-earners will have to contribute 1.7% of their income, employers 1.85%, the state 1.65%, and self-employed people 2.55%. From 1 March 2020 it will include hospital care, and contributions will rise to 2.65% for employees, 2.9% for employers, 4.7% from the state , and 4% for the self-employed. There are co-payments which are capped at €300 per year for patients and €75 per year for low-pension earners and recipients of Guaranteed Minimum Income.[3]
References
- "What are the main features of the GHS?". ΓεΣΥ. ΓεΣΥ. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
- "Health system bills unanimously approved, 'historic day'". Cyprus Mail. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
- "The cost of Gesy – what you will have to pay". Cyprus Mail. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2018.