Dialogos

Cyprus Health Insurance System to Replace Verbal Confirmation with QR Codes

Published January 20, 2026, 06:02
Cyprus Health Insurance System to Replace Verbal Confirmation with QR Codes

The Cyprus Health Insurance Organization (HIO) is phasing out the practice of verbally informing healthcare providers with personal data of beneficiaries, replacing it with the use of QR codes. This move aims to reduce the risks of citizens' exposure to malicious activities and cybercrime. The decision comes after complaints from citizens and the Patient Rights Observatory regarding the security of their personal data. A specific incident led to intervention from the Cyprus Federation of Patient Associations and examination by the Data Protection Commissioner. The HIO is developing three ways of digitization, with one in an advanced stage. The application will allow pharmacists to scan a barcode or QR code from the beneficiary's prescription, gaining access to the necessary data. Furthermore, the use of the “Digital Citizen” platform for beneficiary identification and the development of a mobile application providing access to prescriptions and other health information are being considered. The existing process will be maintained in parallel to serve citizens unfamiliar with technology.