John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

492. To ask the Minister for Health if the cost of care in a hospital in Germany in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be covered as promised by his Department and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48220/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under EU Regulations supporting the free movement of people within the EU/EEA and Switzerland, health care is provided to persons visiting a member state on the basis of their link with the social security system of their home member state. In general the entitlement for persons from other member states is established through the use of relevant "E Forms". The health care of persons on temporary stay or vacation is established through the use of the European Health Insurance Card, which are issued in this country by the HSE. Holders of a European Health Insurance Card can get necessary health care in the public system of any EU / EEA country or Switzerland, should they become ill or injured while on a temporary stay in that country. The Card does not cover the cost of treatment in a private setting. Public health care systems vary from country to country, and few member states will pay the full cost of health care for holders of the Card but will provide care under the same conditions as apply to public patients resident in the state.

Where a person travels abroad without their European Health Insurance Card and requires treatment, a Temporary Replacement Certificate, which gives the same entitlement as the Card but for a shorter period, can be issued by the relevant local HSE Health Office. In the case of the individual concerned, I am advised by the HSE Community Care office in Kilkenny that the appropriate engagement has been made with the German hospital to ensure this individual receives his entitlements under the EU Regulations.