Chile's electronic medical licenses (LME) have fallen below 600,000 monthly for four consecutive months, from June to September, following a scandal exposed by the Comptroller General of the Republic. In September, 565,810 LME were issued, a 12% drop from the previous year. Experts attribute this trend to increased oversight and preventive blocks by the Superintendence of Social Security.
Electronic medical licenses (LME) for common illness or accident in Chile have shown a marked decline in 2025. According to Superintendence of Social Security (Suseso) data, the monthly average this year reaches 607,000, compared to 692,000 in 2024, 682,000 in 2023, and 823,000 in 2022. The trend intensified after the May 20 Comptroller General of the Republic (CGR) report, which revealed over 25,000 public officials traveled abroad during medical leave between 2023 and 2024.
Since June, all months have been below 600,000 LME, an unusual level. In September, 565,810 were issued, a 12% year-over-year drop. From May to September, declines exceeded double digits compared to 2024. The third quarter ended with 1,717,966 LME, the lowest since January 2022, a 18% decrease from the same period in 2024 and 13% versus the prior quarter.
Acting Superintendent Patricia Soto explained that “in the first months of the year, the number of medical licenses showed a limited decrease, but since May the year-over-year declines have consistently exceeded double digits. Between May and September, issuance was on average 17% lower than in 2024”. Soto added that last year licenses hovered around 700,000 monthly, now near 600,000, and highlighted measures like preventive disqualifications for 735 professionals through September, plus 97 suspensions in 2025, to prevent misuse.
Economist Soledad Hormazábal from Horizontal called the drop “good news”, driven by CGR oversight, but urged structural changes, such as equalizing licenses between public and private sectors. Health economist Daniela Sugg noted a 10% break in 2025 versus 2024, coinciding with CGR controls, without increased rejection rates. She observed asymmetries: 5.9% rejection in Fonasa versus 22.1% in Isapres. Sugg expects stabilization, with seasonal increases in respiratory virus months, provided active supervision continues.