Chile survey shows 47% believe medical leave is easy to obtain

A recent survey from the 17th National Health Survey, conducted by the Universidad Andrés Bello and Ipsos, reveals that 47% of respondents believe it is easy or very easy to obtain unjustified medical leave in Chile. This perception includes purchasing licenses directly from doctors, acquiring them via websites, or obtaining them through personal connections with medical professionals.

Despite this perception, the total number of electronic medical leaves issued between May 2025 and April 2026 fell to 6.77 million, a decrease of nearly 1.6 million compared to the previous year. This decline follows investigations by the Contraloría, which identified over 25,000 public employees who allegedly violated rest periods by traveling abroad.

The issue of medical leave fraud remains a significant concern for controlling health expenditure. In September, an investigation by the Fiscalía Oriente led to the conviction of 17 individuals involved in an organization that caused losses exceeding $48 billion CLP to Fonasa through the issuance of false medical licenses.