The Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) has uncovered a notable case of fraud within the General Health System (GeSY). A plastic surgeon was found to be submitting compensation claims using the same photographic evidence for different patients.
The scheme was simple but audacious: the doctor claimed to have performed medical procedures on multiple patients, but inspection revealed he had uploaded the exact same photograph into the GeSY system as proof. In some cases, the required visual evidence was missing altogether.
Following its investigation, the HIO imposed an administrative fine of €30,000 on the surgeon.
It was not an isolated case. In January, the organisation fined four more doctors a total of €18,500 — a haematologist, a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, and a pathologist. They reportedly claimed compensation for services already covered by the reimbursement package or belonging to a different care category.
According to HIO Director Konstantinos Panagidis, the audits were conducted by monitoring activity within the GeSY software system. On-site inspections of healthcare facilities will begin in March, in partnership with the Cyprus Certification Company.
