How to get reimbursement after a hospital treatment in the EU/EEA

Unfortunately, as the HSE waiting list currently has over 670’000 people awaiting treatment, public patients in Ireland are experiencing waiting times far surpassing any of our European counterparts. Despite these long and persistent waiting lists for treatment every patient in Ireland who has been placed on a HSE waiting list for a surgical procedure and/or medical treatment are entitled avail of their planned healthcare intervention in another EU/EEA member state. Patients who avail of this healthcare received abroad are entitled to reimbursement of the expense of their treatment from the HSE. This healthcare provision is afforded to HSE patients under the EU/EEA Cross Border Directive scheme.

What Will the HSE Cover?

The HSE will generally cover any treatment which is available publicly in Ireland and will reimburse patients up to and including the cost of said treatment as it stands in the HSE. For examples of healthcare treatments which are available under the scheme through the HSE please see here.  

However, all patients should note that, travel, accommodation, cost of prescription medicines, and any additional costs accrued during this process is the financial responsibility of the patient.

HSE patients can also help their application process go as smoothly as possible, by providing Prior Notification to the HSE Cross Border Directive Office. Although this is optional, it is an advised cautionary step, particularly if the treatment you are receiving abroad involves inpatient care. The two main benefits of providing prior notification to the HSE is that they can let you know if: (i) you have followed the correct process to access healthcare abroad under the scheme, and/or (ii) are eligible to claim reimbursement towards the cost of your healthcare abroad. Although providing the HSE with prior notification is not a requirement, Dr Fast Track recommends that all patients do so, further information relating to providing prior notification to the HSE can be reviewed here.  

How to Apply for HSE Reimbursement

To apply for reimbursement under the Cross Border Directive scheme after availing of healthcare provision in an approved EU/EEA country. HSE patients simply need to:

• Complete the CBD Pro Forma Invoice Form in English with the healthcare provider they are using abroad. Patients need to ensure that the consultant completes part B of the CBD Pro Forma Invoice From before they leave the healthcare facility.
• Gather all supporting documentation.
• Post the completed CBD Pro Forma Invoice Form and all supporting documentation to the HSE Cross Border Directive office.

All perspective patients should also be aware of the stipulations which are attached to applying for reimbursement from the HSE. All applications for reimbursement must be submitted within the predetermined deadline of 6 months from the date when the treatment was first processed abroad. Any applications which are submitted after the deadline has passed will not be processed and no reimbursement to patients will be provided.

The HSE aims to reimburse patients within 20 working days of receiving all completed documents. However, payments are currently taking a minimum of 2 to 3 months to be processed (as of July 2024). For a list of the supporting documents you need to provide in order to apply for reimbursement under the Cross Border Directive, please see the HSE’s dedicated applying for reimbursement webpage.

Preparing to Travel Abroad for Healthcare

There are several country specific requirements which patients traveling from Ireland to another EU/EEA country for healthcare are advised to adhere to. For more information on the specific requirements governing HSE patients under the Cross Border Directive, please review the dedicated HSE preparing to go abroad for healthcare webpage.  

The Dr Fast Track portal will assist you as a patient seeking to access your right to secure, efficient, and patient centric healthcare abroad. This is achieved through connecting all patients with our extensive range of pre-approved, trusted, and high-quality healthcare partner facilities across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany which patients can choose to schedule their treatments with.

For a full list of Dr Fast Tracks partner healthcare facilities and the services they provide, please visit our dedicated Irish website.

To review all relevant details and to create an account on the Dr Fast Track Portal to start your journey to accessing expert healthcare abroad.

Learn more about Dr. Fast Track and the services we provide to Irish patients.