Contraloría - Dictamen N° 7424 2014

La Contraloría General ordena a DIPRECA cesar descuentos de pensiones por deudas médicas cobradas fuera del plazo de prescripción de cinco años establecido en el Código Civil.

• Two pensioners complained that DIPRECA was deducting pension amounts for hospital services received more than 10 years prior.
• DIPRECA justified deductions based on debts for medical services rendered before 2002, being paid in installments from current pensions.
• Decree Ley N° 844 of 1975, Article 3(b) and 9, establishes DIPRECA's authority to grant medical, hospital, and dental services.
• Article 10 of DL 844/75 permits DIPRECA to deduct owed amounts from pensions without debtor authorization, even from montepío for heirs upon death.
• The Contraloría General determined that the collection of debts for medical services, despite DL 844/75, is subject to the five-year prescription period established in Article 2.515 of the Civil Code, due to the absence of specific contrary norms.
• T...