Overview
- PAMI shifted to a centralized 12‑month procurement under Licitación Pública 12/25 (resolución 1737/2025), awarding about AR$80.73 billion to five suppliers named in resolución 1560/2025: Implantec, Visión Médica, MSZ, Centro Óptico Casin and VSA Alta Complejidad.
- Documents from providers cite sharp disparities, such as an Implantec Acryfold sold privately at AR$24,800 versus AR$162,166 to PAMI, Eyeol lenses at AR$28,249 versus AR$279,704, and an Auroflex quoted at AR$32,000 plus VAT versus AR$177,939.
- PAMI denies overpricing and says the tendered price covers the lens, viscoelastic solutions, disposable injectors, logistics and traceability, adding that the total procedure plus lens costs about AR$565,000–AR$568,000 compared with AR$740,000 at the Judicial social insurance and AR$1.148 million at OSDE.
- The agency argues the change addresses past abuses such as lack of traceability and improper copays, while providers report delays in deliveries that have forced reprogramming of cataract surgeries and, in Rosario, the rescheduling of PAMI ophthalmology appointments and some suspended services.
- ATE filed a public denunciation alleging overpayments and kickbacks tied to the AR$80.7 billion tender, and the Unidad Fiscal de Investigación especializada en PAMI opened a preliminary investigation.