Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - EU Health Coverage.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

354 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the islands in the European Union which are covered by the E111 form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17035/01]

The provision of social security services throughout the 18 countries in the European Economic Area is co-ordinated by EC Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72. These regulations provide that an insured person in any EEA country is eligible to travel throughout the EEA and receive the same level of social security services as available to a citizen of each respective country.

The E111 form entitles a person to emergency health care when travelling or staying temporarily in any country belonging to the EEA but not the cost of transporting persons back to Ireland. It will not cover any health care received outside the EEA. The E111 form is issued by the health board in which the person concerned resides and entitles a person to free emergency medical treatment. If a person does not have the form when receiving treatment, it may be necessary to pay for the treatment on the spot and claim for reimbursement at a later stage. Reimbursements will, however, be consistent with what citizens of the relevant country are themselves entitled to.

It is important to note that there are a variety of healthcare systems throughout the EU which are delivered in different ways. It is imperative that prior to going to another EEA country that the person familiarises themselves on how to gain access to the healthcare system in the particular country. This information is available from the health boards, from various publications available from the Government Publications Office and from the European public information centres in Ireland. It is also important to be aware that the form E111 only entitles a person to emergency health treatment through the public health care system in the country concerned. Any treatment received from a private GP/clinic would not be covered by the E111 form and any costs incurred would have to be paid by the person.

Barr
Roinn