From 2013, EU citizens will able to reclaim the costs of medical treatment received  in an EU state.

This new legislation ratified by the Cross Border Healthcare Directive in Brussels is probably going to be especially beneficial for expats because they will be able to have elective surgery in state hospitals in any European country, rather than depending on a future appointment.

The implementation of the new directive was initially planned for 2011 but has been hindered by disputes between countries. Even now is not sure if the legislation will be implemented in 2013 as some EU member states may postpone the passing of the legislation.

One controversial point was for example the decision of whether patients should be paid back in full. It has been decided that patients will be reimbursed only the cost of the treatment in their home country. In addition to that, a doctor in the patient´s home state will have to approve the procedure in advance. In the case of specialized treatments a stringent advanced approval will be required, excluding long-term care and organ transplants.

It is questionable if the new procedure will provoke additional administration costs. The leader of the UK Independence Party, Nigel Farage, fears a “bureaucratic nightmare”.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk