Following Constitutional Court orders, including contempt proceedings against Health Minister Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo for prior UPC shortfalls, the Colombian government set the Unidad de Pago por Capitación (UPC) increase at 12.94% for 2026, applicable to contributory and subsidized health regimes. This adjustment raises the assurance budget from $89.8 trillion to over $101.3 trillion, aiming to close regime gaps.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced the UPC for 2026, corresponding to a 12.94% increase, based on a technical study with input from the Advisory Commission on Benefits, Costs, and Health Assurance Rates. This builds on gap closure efforts equating subsidized regime resources to 95% of contributory ones, per prior Constitutional Court directives like Auto 007, which criticized 2024/2025 adjustments and prompted investigations into the Health Minister.
The hike adds $11.6 trillion to the health system, lifting the assurance budget from $89.8 trillion in 2025 to over $101.3 trillion in 2026. The Commission recommended 9.03% for the contributory regime and 16.49% for subsidized, with extras for geographic dispersion (11.47%), cities (15%), San Andrés premium, and indigenous groups.
Goals include closing regime disparities, meeting court requirements, and updating technical costs. The Ministry emphasized directing resources to hospitals and clinics beyond EPS, with strict oversight, transparency, and efficient use.
