Quarter of hundred Estonians cured abroad

Hanneli Rudi
, Tarbija24 juhataja
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Photo: Toomas Huik / Postimees

Two dozens of Estonians have taken the opportunity to see a doctor behind borders. Biggest bill presented to Health Insurance Fund, so far, amounts to €24,000. 

Last year, on October 25th, the patients free movement directive entered into force. Since then, inhabitants of Estonia may receive medical treatment anywhere in the EU, with Health Insurance Fund paying part of the bill. 

The first foreign treatment bill arrived a couple of days after the directive entered into force i.e. on October 30th. Up to now, about two dozen applications have been submitted.

«The areas [of treatment], applications cover surgery and neurosurgery, oncology, and laser treatment for short-sightedness,» said the sickness fund press secretary Katrin Romanenkov. Mainly, people desire compensation for treatment in Finland, Lithuania and Germany.

So far, lion’s share of applications have been filed regarding consultations with medical specialists; but bills have come in for surgeries, rehabilitation and medicaments as well. «The largest sum total of bills presented by a single person is €24,000,» said she.

Ms Romanenkov underlined that, within the directive, only such health care services can be compensates as people are entitled to, at the expense of the fund, in Estonia. «Meaning: the directive doesn’t cover health care services not provided or compensated in Estonia,» she explained.

Of the bill submitted from abroad, the sickness fund compensates the sum that a similar treatment or visit would have cost in Estonia. The rest of the expenses shall be covered by the patients.

So far, the fund has not decided regarding any compensation; even so, proceedings are nearing the end with several of the applications.

According to Ms Romanenkov, an application is proceeded for three months – as a rule. Sometimes it may take longer. «There are several reasons for delay: should a doctor-trustee find some documents are missing, these are asked for. Sometimes, treatment documents need translation; the need may arise to ask medical institutions of other states for information or additional documents,» said the press secretary.

She added that a specialist assessing the applications needs to be convinced, also, that the essence of the treatment provided abroad corresponds with the service listed in the Health Insurance Fund list.  

For compensations of treatments abroad, the fund’s 2014 budget provides close to €8m – ten percent increase, year-on-year.

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