AZV: Claims of family are inaccurate; overseas care follows strict criteria

ORANJESTAD – Aruba's Health Insurance Authority (AZV) has rejected allegations made during a recent press conference by Ricardo Croes and the SIKI Foundation, in which they claimed the national health insurer was "condemning" a young patient to a premature death. According to AZV, those statements are inaccurate and do not reflect how the case was handled.

In a statement, AZV's Executive Board said it could not discuss the specific case in detail because it involves confidential medical information. However, the agency confirmed that the patient's request, submitted on July 7, 2026, received "the attention it deserved."

According to AZV, a treatment plan was developed, the patient traveled to Colombia and later returned to Aruba, and the insured was fully informed about which treatments were covered and which were not under AZV's policy. The decisions, AZV said, were based on evaluations by Aruba's Oncology Committee (HOH), the independent Commissie Grensoverschrijdende Zorg (CGZ), and the CTIC Oncology Committee in Colombia. "After taking note of the allegations, we considered it important to once again clarify how the overseas medical care process and coverage criteria work," AZV said.

How AZV evaluates overseas treatment requests

AZV explained that patients may be referred abroad when the necessary medical expertise is not available in Aruba. According to the agency, the process begins with the treating specialist, who submits a formal request after discussing the proposed treatment with the patient.

AZV said that only treatments that are medically necessary, widely accepted within the medical profession, covered under AZV legislation, and unavailable in Aruba qualify for approval. Experimental or research-based treatments are not covered.

Role of the CGZ committee

According to AZV, every request for overseas medical care is reviewed by the independent Commissie Grensoverschrijdende Zorg (CGZ), which determines whether the requested treatment is medically necessary and unavailable on the island.

For oncology cases, AZV said requests must first be reviewed by Aruba's Oncology Committee before being submitted to the CGZ.

What an approval covers

Once a request is approved, AZV said it arranges medical appointments, travel, accommodation, and, when applicable, a social companion. Coverage includes airfare, medical expenses, hotel guarantees, and a financial contribution toward meal costs. The insurer emphasized that the urgency of the patient's condition and the availability of appointments at the receiving hospital determine how quickly the patient travels. In emergency situations, an air ambulance may be arranged.

During treatment abroad

AZV stated that when a patient accepts the approved treatment, it is understood that the patient agrees with the treatment plan and the conditions of coverage. Throughout the treatment, AZV remains in regular contact with both the overseas hospital and the patient's specialist in Aruba to monitor progress and adjust the approval if necessary. According to AZV, additional medical complications may arise while the patient is abroad. In such cases, any additional treatment must first receive approval before it can be covered by the insurance fund.

Finally, AZV said that if a patient decides not to continue with the approved treatment, the patient is expected to return to Aruba. According to the agency, these conditions are clearly explained to both the patient and the accompanying person before departure.