Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 February 2017
334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of the cross-Border health care directive; to make the details of this scheme more widely available particularly for persons who are on long waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9344/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursement of patients' of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State (Member State of Affiliation) and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level through the legislation on the coordination of social security schemes (Regulation 883/04).
The Directive seeks to ensure a clear and transparent framework for the provision of cross- border healthcare within the EU, for those occasions where the care patients seek is provided in another Member State rather than in their home country.
It is important to note that patients are not funded up front for their treatment abroad under Directive, rather they are reimbursed the lower of, either the cost of treatment in Ireland, or the cost of treatment abroad. Furthermore, travel, accommodation and general living costs before, and following, the treatment, are not reimbursed. It is also important to note that treatment which requires an overnight stay must be approved in advance. This facilitates the provision of the patient of an estimate of the costs which will be reimbursed and allows a period of reflection regarding the decision to access treatment abroad.
All hospitals have been provided by the HSE with text on the Directive to be included in waiting list correspondence. This text advises patients of the provisions of the Directive, and their entitlement to access healthcare under it in another EU/EEA country if they so choose. Information sessions with hospitals on the Directive continue to be offered, and promoted, by the acute hospital division of the HSE.
