A new national health system was implemented in Cyprus in June 2019 known as GeSY. This universal health insurance scheme aims to provide affordable and effective medical care to Cyprus residents. Citizens now have the right to choose their personal doctor, hospital or any other healthcare provider associated with GeSY.

This system is also referred to in English as the General Healthcare System (GHS) and in Greek, Genikó Sýstima Ygeías (Γενικό Σύστημα Υγείας). Hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, clinics and pharmacies which operate under the GHS can be identified by the GeSY/ ΓεΣΥ signage on display.

All citizens, who are permanent and legal residents in Cyprus can register to, and access the GHS. All expatriates living in Cyprus and who are holders of a Cypriot ID or Alien Card, are entitled to enrol in GHS.

This unified health system also allows patients to choose healthcare providers from both the public and private sector.

The General Healthcare System (GHS) is a comprehensive healthcare system that offers equal access to healthcare services for all citizens notwithstanding their income/ contribution, with the option to choose their healthcare provider from both the private and the public sector.

Here is a simple guide to the basics you need to know with regards to the Cyprus General Health System, known as GESY.

1. How do I register with GESY and obtain a personal doctor

You can register online via the GESY website www.gesy.org.cy  or by visiting the personal doctor of your choice.

2. What is covered by GESY?

From 1st June 2020

• Healthcare from personal doctors
• Specialist healthcare
• Medicines
• Laboratory tests
• In-hospital care

From a later stage the following will also be covered. Dates to be announced.

• Health care in case of accidents and emergencies
• Transportation by ambulance
• Healthcare provided by nurses, midwives, clinical psychologists, clinical dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists
• Preventative dental care
• Medical rehabilitation
• Home care

3. How do I access GESY services?

You have direct access to your personal doctor and through your doctor you can be referred to other services such as laboratory tests, specialist doctors or prescriptions for medicines.

In order to see a specialist, a personal doctor must submit a referral notice into the GHS/GeSY system. The referral is valid for a limited time. Personal Doctors are not allowed to refer beneficiaries to specific healthcare providers. The choice belongs exclusively to the beneficiary. The patient must then book their own appointment with the specialist of their choice. If the specialist is registered to the GHS/GeSY, they are entitled to pay the discounted fee. If the patient visits a specialist without a referral from their Personal Doctor, the fee is €25.

What is co-payment?

Visits to a GHS/GeSY Personal Doctor are now free for a certain amount of visits per year, but some healthcare services require a co-payment fee which is paid directly to the healthcare provider.  The aim of co-payments is to ensure that both the patients and healthcare providers behave responsibly, and to prevent abuse of the services on offer.

A maximum annual amount of co-payments is set for each beneficiary in order to protect vulnerable groups for example, low income persons and those with increased needs in medical care. This safeguards unhindered access of the population to the necessary healthcare services.

Each time a GHS/GeSY service is used, the beneficiary will receive an email stating that the healthcare provider has submitted a claim and it is recorded in the patient’s medical history.

4. What do I have to pay for GESY services?

You will have to pay a surcharge when receiving GESY services as follows…

Healthcare Services	Supplement Fee (Euro)
Per pharmaceutical product	1
Per medical product or sanitary ware	1
For laboratory test or laboratory test group **	1
Upon visit to a specialist doctor with the exception of doctors specializing in radiology / radiology, cytology and pathological anatomy	6
For a health care service performed by a specialist doctor specializing in radiology / radiology	10
Every time you visit a nurse or midwife	6
Per visit to TAEP	10
When visiting another health professional	10

** The total maximum charge for laboratory tests is €10

The annual supplement per person is as follows..

• General population  €150
• Retirees, children under 21  and EU Aid recipients €75

Once the total is reached you no longer pay supplements for the remainder of the year.

In cases of visits to personal doctors after 8pm and on weekends and public holidays, the doctor may charge you up to €25.

5. Do I have to pay to visit my personal doctor?

You do not pay to visit your personal doctor unless you exceed the maximum number of visits per year determined by your age group as follows…

Beneficiary’s age	Number of visits
From birth to the completion of the 1st year of his age	10
From the completion of the 1st year of his age until the completion of the 3rd year of his age	8
Completing the 3rd year of age until the completion of the 6 th year of age	7
On completing 6th year of age until the completion of the 11 th year of age	4
Completing the 11th year of age until the completion of the 18 th year of age	3
Completing the 15th year of age until the completion of the 18 th year of age	3
Completing the 18th year of age until the completion of the 41 th year of age	4
Completing the 41st year of age until the completion of the 51 th year of age	6
Completing the 51st year of age until the completion of the 65 th year of age	8
Completing the 65th year of age and after>	10

Once exceeding the maximum number of visits the charge will be €15 per visit. Chronic patients, low income earners, pensioners on low income and children are excluded from the charge.

6. Can I change my personal doctor?

You can change your personal doctor after 6 months from date of registration.

Children up to the age of 3 months can change as often as they wish. Children between the age of 3 months and 2 years can change once every 3 months if necessary.

7. Does GESY cover vaccines?

Vaccines are covered by GESY according to the National Vaccination Scheme. Where vaccines are not included in the scheme they will be charged at the discretion of the personal doctor.

8. How long are referrals valid for?

From personal doctor to specialist doctor – a regular referral is valid for 3 visits and 6 months and a long term referral is valid for 12 visits and 12 months.

For referrals from diagnostic tests to radiologists, physicians, cytologists and pathologists they are valid for 180 days.

For specialist referrals to another specialty the referral is valid for 3 visits and 6 months.

Source: Famagusta Public Network