SAT Health Ministry Colombia: irregular EPS transfers and rights violations

SAT Minsalud: what it is and why it matters

The Transactional Affiliation System (SAT) of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia is the official digital platform for health affiliation, updates, and EPS transfers through the Mi Seguridad Social portal.

Although designed to streamline processes and ensure continuity, it is now widely reported as a source of rights violations. Citizens across Colombia have faced irregular EPS transfers in SAT without their consent, amounting to identity theft and digital fraud.

Illustrative case in Medellín: irregular transfer in SAT

In Medellín, a member of EPS Sura and his 90-year-old dependent were irregularly transferred to EPS Salud Total via SAT.

The system falsely recorded that the user himself requested the transfer, which never happened. This situation involved:

• Identity theft.
• Unauthorized use of sensitive personal data.
• Violation of privacy and digital security.
• Falsification of official electronic records.

The case was reported to the Prosecutor’s Office, the National Superintendency of Health, and the Office of the Inspector General (Procuraduría). However, to date, no effective action has been taken, leaving the users unprotected.

Rights violated in this case

• Personal data protection (Law 1581 of 2012).
• Right to health and life, due to the risk of interrupted treatments.
• Right to due process, with an administrative act carried out without consent.
• Right to privacy and human dignity.
• Right to social security.

This example shows how SAT has become a platform that violates citizens’ rights due to weak security and oversight.

Legal framework regulating SAT

• Decree 2353 of 2015: Creates SAT as a single affiliation system.
• Decree 780 of 2016 (DUR Health): Establishes continuity and transfer rules.
• Resolution 768 of 2018: Defines SAT’s operational conditions.
• Resolution 1128 of 2020: Prohibits irregular transfers and reinforces data protection.

Despite this legal framework, irregular transfers and identity fraud cases remain a serious problem.

SAT and data protection risks

The Ministry of Health claims its systems are certified under ISO 27001. In practice, however, multiple citizens have reported:

• Non-consensual transfers carried out through SAT.
• Lack of transparency on how these transfers occur.
• Exposure of personal data to cybercrime and fraud risks.

Instead of protecting users, SAT has turned into a risk for privacy and health rights.

Who can reverse an irregular transfer in SAT?

It is essential to clarify:

• EPS cannot reverse transfers.
• The only entity authorized to reverse an irregular transfer is the Ministry of Health through SAT.
• To proceed, the Ministry requires the user to submit a copy of the criminal complaint filed with the Prosecutor’s Office for crimes such as identity theft, computer fraud, and misuse of personal data.

This means victims must take both administrative and criminal action for a transfer to be reversed.

Legal and administrative actions in case of irregular transfer

1. Verify and collect evidence

• Check your affiliation status on Mi Seguridad Social.
• Save screenshots and official certificates.

2. Notify your EPS

• Inform both the origin and destination EPS.
• EPS cannot reverse transfers but must ensure continuity of services while the case is resolved.

3. File a criminal complaint

• Report to the Prosecutor’s Office for identity theft, computer fraud, and data misuse.
• Attach a copy of the complaint to the Ministry of Health request.

4. Request reversal from the Ministry of Health – SAT

• File a PQRD (petition, complaint, or request) with the Ministry of Health.
• Attach the criminal complaint and request reversal of the irregular transfer.

5. File a complaint with the Inspector General’s Office

• Submit a disciplinary complaint against public officials who may have been negligent or complicit.
• The Procuraduría can investigate and sanction public servants for negligence, abuse of authority, or corruption.

6. Complaint before the Superintendency of Health

• File a formal complaint so the Supersalud oversees the Ministry’s handling of the case.

7. Constitutional protection (tutela)

• If your health or life is at imminent risk, file a tutela action so a judge orders immediate reversal and continuity of treatment.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. What is SAT in Colombia?
It is the official platform for health affiliation and EPS transfers.

2. What risks exist in SAT?
Irregular EPS transfers, identity theft, and misuse of personal data.

3. Who can reverse an irregular transfer?
Only the Ministry of Health, and only after a criminal complaint is filed.

4. What rights are violated in an irregular transfer?
Health, life, privacy, personal data, due process, human dignity, and social security.

5. What should a victim do?

• Gather evidence.
• Notify EPS.
• File a criminal complaint.
• Request reversal from the Ministry.
• File complaints with Supersalud and Procuraduría.
• File tutela if urgent.

6. Can EPS reverse transfers?
No, EPS have no legal authority. Only the Ministry of Health through SAT can reverse them.

Conclusion

The SAT platform, intended to improve efficiency, has become a system that violates fundamental rights. Cases like the one in Medellín show that without strong oversight, citizens face serious risks to their health, dignity, and security.

Consult with an expert lawyer in SAT, health, and data protection to guarantee your rights against irregular transfers and identity theft.