EOPYY: sweeping controls and “zero tolerance to fraud”

The National Health Service) welcomes the totally successful operation of the Directorate of Financial Police, which led to the full investigation of the case and the disposal of criminal organization which acted methodically, committing systematic and criminal fraud against the Organization.

During the investigation of the case there was substantial cooperation between the control mechanisms and the members of the Financial Police for the unmasking of the illegal action of the ring. Through the thorough cross-checking of data and the mapping of the action of those involved, all the necessary evidence was provided to the private authorities.

As stated in a statement by EOPY, the Agency, as part of its ongoing effort to ensure the legality, transparency and protection of the rights of insured persons, has moved to mandatory execution of opinions with use of an OTP (One Time Password) code for a range of benefits health and services, including physical therapies.

The application of the OTP code, which is sent to the beneficiary’s mobile phone, is intended to confirm the physical presence of the insured person when receiving the service or health material, essentially strengthening the control mechanisms and prevention of abusive or fictitious performances.

During the analysis of statistical data on the execution of opinions using OTP,the competent services of the EOPYY identified cases of multiple executions of opinions in different MCIs using the same mobile phone number. These findings were immediately evaluated and forwarded to the Financial Police Directorate for further investigation.

The cooperation of the EOPYY with the competent auditing and law enforcement authorities contributed decisively to the unraveling of a fraud scheme involving virtual physical therapies, protecting both the resources of the Agency and the rights of the actual beneficiaries of health services.

At the same time, the EOPYY proceeded to further fix the opinion system. As of February 2025, the issuance of opinions requires the existence of a certified mobile phone number, which is first searched in the Health Insurance File (HIF) and then in the National Contact Registry. In the absence of a certified number, no new opinion, other than the first informative one, may be issued, through which the beneficiary is requested to complete the certification of his/her contact details.

The management of the Agency makes it clear in all directions that “phenomena of corruption, fraud and waste of public money will be treated with zero tolerance”.

It pledges to continue with undiminished intensity its sweeping controls at all levels, continuously upgrading its digital tools and remaining in constant cooperation with the judiciary and prosecuting authorities to defend the public interest.