Health tourism increases the EU directive on cross border healthcare

After a delay of six months, was finally released the EU proposal for directive on patients ' rights in cross border healthcare. It provides an additional stimulus to the already growing number of medical tourists who seek hospital treatment in other EU countries. Its aim is to create a formal framework for crossing the border healthcare and remove obstacles that patients face if they wish to travel for treatment in other EU countries.

I'll try to answer some of the questions people are asking about this new directive and its impact.

Why do we need a directive on cross border health care?
The directive arose from a desire to create a European market in healthcare and in part as a result of the judgments of the European Court that have upheld the rights of patients to obtain reimbursement for treatment in other countries where they were subjected to "delay" in their own country.

What does it cover?
The directive proposes a series of events in cross border healthcare, including reimbursement of medical tourists, patient safety and quality issues, European cooperation on health, evaluation of new medical technologies and standards for health and patient information transfer between Member States.

How will it affect the UK NHS patients?
In April this year, was extended to choice of NHS patients in the United Kingdom, giving patients the right to opt for treatment anywhere in the United Kingdom. Directive, with effect, extends this patient choice anywhere in the EU, provided that the processing is available at a cost that is equal to or less than the NHS cost.

Under the directive, the NHS will be asked to establish a system for direct payment or reimbursement. This means that patients will not have to finance the treatment and then claim the cost of NHS. They will have to finance their travel and accommodation expenses. Without prior approval is required from NHS Trust or primary health care of the patient.

This does not mean that patients in the United Kingdom or elsewhere in the European Union can choose to treatments abroad that are not covered by the NHS. Thus, if a new drug or a new procedure is available in another country, the patient cannot obtain payment for it.

How many patients will choose treatment abroad?
Who knows? Patients may decide to travel abroad because:

Surgeons and hospitals with the best results for your treatment may be available elsewhere in Europe. Hospital infection rates may be smaller in other European countries. Faster Treatment may be available elsewhere.

It is important to note that:

There is no requirement for the patient suffer "delay" in treatment. The patient will have a reference from a GP. Patients cannot skip waiting list in other countries .... which is one reason why don't we see large numbers of travelling to the United Kingdom for the treatment of patients. They will join the end of the existing UK patients queue. And since the United Kingdom is one of health care providers more expensive in Europe, this will also discourage an inflow of patients from countries with lower costs.

How will it affect the NHS?
Depends on how many patients UK opt for treatment abroad. If the NHS can prove that the number could be so great that could affect planning and financing of health care facilities in the United Kingdom, then it can make an application to set up a system of "prior approval" means that a patient would have to apply for treatment abroad. This is unlikely, I believe. Is an admission of failure of the Government that the NHS cannot compete in a competitive European market.

In general the directive has to be a good thing for NHS patients and United Kingdom. He could reduce burdens on NHS waiting lists and offer economy where the cheapest treatment is available in other EU countries. This would also mean that hospitals NHS would face increasing competition and would improve its performance relative to other health care providers in Europe.

What else is covered by the Directive?
In addition to clarify the position on medical tourism within the EU, the directive also covers:

The establishment of common principles in terms of ensuring patient safety and ensuring the quality and continuity of care. Stimulate greater European cooperation on healthcare including creating "Reference networks" that would create a concentration of knowledge, training and resources for specific diseases and health problems. Establishment of a European network for the assessment of new medical technology. Setting standards of health, in particular the transfer of information and treatment of patients between Member States.

When it comes into force?
Is a draft directive, therefore, has to pass through EU mechanisms to be officially adopted as policy. But it is a part of a consultation process that has been going on for three years, so it is likely to become reality.

Good news or bad news for the medical tourism industry?
Undoubtedly good news! It will add the credibility of medical tourism and will mean that people become more familiar with and confident traveling for treatment. It will also reinforce the need for an improvement in the standards and business practices in the industry. (See code of practice for medical tourism abroad of treatment).

Ultimately, it will result in a greater choice of patients and more people will choose to travel for treatment abroad.

For patients seeking treatment, now that can't wait until the directive enters into force, can download tab in treatment outside of medical tourism or visit the treatment abroad.