Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2018
136. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters (details supplied) relating to procedures carried out in the UK under the cross-border healthcare directive will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38085/18]
View answerThe HSE operates the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Under the terms of the Directive, patients of an EU/EEA Member State who meet the necessary criteria may opt to avail of healthcare provided under the legislation of their Member State of affiliation in another EU/EEA Member State and be reimbursed the lesser of the cost of receiving the treatment abroad, or the cost in their own Member State.
Under the terms of the Directive where a patient receives cross-border healthcare and where medical follow-up proves necessary, the same medical follow-up that would have been available if the treatment was carried out on its own territory must be provided by the patients Member State of affiliation. Thus, if there are complications with a procedure carried out under the CBD, a patient may access the Irish healthcare system to have it rectified.
Furthermore, all patients who are ordinarily resident in Ireland may avail of public healthcare, including in-patient services, on a full or limited eligibility basis. The normal procedures for availing of public in-patient services will apply.
It is also important to note that it is not necessary for a patient to receive all their care abroad. A patient may apply for access to certain aspects of care abroad with further care provided in Ireland as deemed appropriate, or a patient may choose to return to the EU country of treatment.
If treatment is not successful, a patient as well as accessing treatment in their Member State has the option to re-access the medical treatment in the EU country of treatment and will be reimbursed under the terms of the Directive.
The HSE provides information to patients accessing healthcare abroad under the CBD through the National Contact Point’s website and also by phone at 056 7784551. Patients with a query on a specific treatment or procedure carried out under the CBD should contact the National Contact Point for advice.
