Affiliation to EPS for Foreigners with Visa Type M in Colombia

Colombian General Social Security System in Health

The Colombian General Social Security System in Health (Social security for foreigners in Colombia) was created in 1993 by Law 100.

Regimes

It is composed of two regimes: the contributory regime, which affiliates salaried workers, pensioners, and independent workers with income equal to or greater than 1 SMMLV (minimum monthly legal salary), and the subsidized regime, which affiliates all individuals without the capacity to pay.

There is also a special regime for workers in the Military Forces, the National Police, ECOPETROL, the teaching profession, and public universities.

The EPS in Colombia

Affiliation with this system is mandatory and is done through Health Promoting Entities, known as EPS, which can be public or private.

The EPS contract with IPS (health service providers) who are the providers of care, and may or may not be integrated with the EPS. (Medical Insurance in Colombia. Colombian Visa Requirements | Health Insurance for Foreigners in Colombia)

The system includes freedom of choice as one of the guiding principles of the health system, as a characteristic of the system and as a foundation of public service.

Right to Choose the EPS

Affiliates have the right to choose from different EPS to manage the provision of health services.

This right has also been constitutionally reinforced in tutela rulings, such as T-760 of 2008.

However, once a person affiliates with a particular EPS there is a minimum one-year stay period; afterward, it is possible to choose another entity to switch to.

List of EPS in Colombia

The Ministry of Labor on its website presents a list of all EPS located in each department of the country:

List of EPS

Affiliation of Foreigners to the EPS in Colombia

Affiliation for foreigners with a Type M visa or a Type M Visa for Temporary Residence in Colombia is achieved through registration with a Health Promoting Entity (EPS) and presentation of the foreign identity card (cédula de extranjería) or, in the case of children under 7 years of age, presentation of the passport.

Contributory Regime

If you have a visa or work permit and are an employee, self-employed worker with the capacity to pay, affiliation must be made to the contributory regime.

Subsidized Regime

To affiliate with the subsidized regime, you must complete the SISBEN socioeconomic classification survey and classify at level I or II.

SISBEN Website

Subsequently, you must choose the EPS and register by filling out the single Affiliation and News form for the General Social Security System in Health.

For the affiliation of the family unit, the respective identification documents and those accrediting kinship must be presented.

Once affiliation is completed, you begin to enjoy the Benefit Plan, which is the set of services for health care to which every affiliate to the system has right.

This benefit plan seeks the integral protection of families, maternity, and general illness care, in the phases of promotion and health promotion and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for all pathologies.

To learn in detail about all the benefits of the POS (Plan Obligatorio de Salud), consult the following guide created by the Ministry of Health:

Everything You Need to Know About the Benefit Plan - POS

In conclusion, affiliation with the EPS as a foreigner with a Type M Visa is mandatory. It is a simple process that only requires the foreign identity card. Once affiliated, you have benefits such as quality medical care, financial protection (cost reduction), access to preventive programs, and legal protection in case of medical negligence. For any additional questions or inquiries, please contact our support team at Servicio Legal. You can also consult with lawyers specializing in immigration law or Immigration Lawyers, Alien Law, or Foreigners Law for personalized advice.

Bibliography

Article on the Colombian health system

Diagnosis of the Free Choice of Health Promoting Entity in the SGSSS

List of EPS

SISBEN Website