Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2017
212. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the EU cross border directive relative to health care covers the cost of tests to determine if a person has Lyme disease; if this directive covers treatment for Lyme disease in another EU state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30723/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Directive on Patients' Rights in Cross Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursement to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State 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 Health Service Executive (HSE) operates the EU Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare in Ireland. In line with practice in other EU Member States, the HSE, through the National Contact Point (NCP) office, provides information for patients on the Cross-Border Directive on its website - http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/1/schemes/cbd/ - and also by phone. The principal function of the NCP is to facilitate exchange of information for patients concerning their rights and entitlements relating to receiving healthcare in another Member State, in particular the terms and conditions for reimbursement of cost and the procedures for accessing and determining those entitlements.
The HSE have confirmed that a person may avail of treatment for Lymes disease under the Cross Border Directive. In relation to the issue of the cost of diagnosis I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
