WILLEMSTAD – General practitioners across Curaçao are expected to resume regular patient consultations today, Friday, November 6, following an agreement reached between the government and the Curaçao General Practitioners Association (CHV) during summary court proceedings.
The agreement, announced by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) on Thursday, November 5, follows several days of disrupted healthcare services as general practitioners protested against existing reimbursement rates.
According to the ministry, both parties accepted a proposal presented by the judge to resolve the immediate dispute, allowing regular medical consultations to resume while arrangements are made for an independent investigation into the financial conditions of general practitioners.
The agreement also establishes conditions under which a temporary increase in reimbursement rates could be considered.
Doctors Agree to Resume Regular Consultations
Under the agreement, the Curaçao General Practitioners Association will call on its members to resume regular patient consultations starting Friday morning, November 6.
The decision follows industrial action that began earlier this week, during which only five general practitioners' offices remained open.
The disruption raised concerns about access to primary healthcare services, particularly for patients requiring ongoing medical attention.
Minister of Health Tyron Boekhoudt initiated summary court proceedings against the association, arguing that the interruption of medical services endangered patient care and the continuity of healthcare services, including those provided to nursing home residents.
Rather than waiting for a court ruling, both parties reached an agreement based on a proposal from the judge.
The arrangement provides a path toward restoring regular healthcare services while addressing the financial disagreement through further investigation.
RAC to Investigate Current Reimbursement Rate
A central element of the agreement is an independent investigation by the Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) into the existing annual reimbursement paid to general practitioners.
According to the ministry, the current capitation fee is XCG 182.30 per patient per year.
This is the annual amount paid for each registered patient under the existing reimbursement arrangement.
The general practitioners have argued that current compensation is insufficient to cover the costs of operating their practices and have demanded higher payments.
Under the new agreement, RAC will examine the existing tariff to determine whether adjustments are justified.
The investigation is scheduled to begin in January 2027, provided that general practitioners submit the necessary financial and operational information.
The requirement to supply data is an important condition of the agreement, as the regulator will need verifiable figures to assess the financial situation of medical practices.
Temporary Increase Possible Only After Doctors Submit Data
The agreement also opens the possibility of a temporary increase in reimbursement rates.
However, the ministry emphasized that such an adjustment can take effect only after general practitioners have submitted the required information to RAC.
This means that no immediate increase has been guaranteed as part of the agreement.
Instead, the possibility of temporary financial relief is linked directly to cooperation with the regulatory investigation.
The ministry's announcement does not specify the amount of any potential temporary increase or when such an adjustment might take effect.
The arrangement reflects the government's position that changes to healthcare reimbursement rates must be supported by financial information that can be independently assessed.
Minister Boekhoudt Welcomes Restoration of Patient Care
Minister Boekhoudt expressed satisfaction that patients will once again be able to visit their regular general practitioners.
"Starting tomorrow, patients can once again visit their own general practitioner. That was the most important thing for me," the minister said in the announcement issued Thursday.
The agreement addresses the immediate interruption of healthcare services but does not resolve the underlying disagreement over reimbursement rates.
General practitioners will now be expected to cooperate with RAC by providing the information necessary for the investigation, while the government will consider the findings when determining future reimbursement arrangements.
For patients across Curaçao, the most immediate consequence is the expected restoration of regular consultations beginning today.
The broader discussion about the financial sustainability of general practitioners' practices will continue as the parties prepare for the RAC investigation scheduled for January 2027.