The European Commission has sent Finland a reasoned opinion requesting the Finish authorities to suitably reimburse the costs of healthcare services received in another EU country.

The Finish healthcare system is divided into public and private branches. Healthcare treatment is currently reimbursed to the level covered by the private healthcare scheme in Finland; however, these costs are lower than if provided through the statutory healthcare scheme. The Commission considers the Finnish practice to be in breach of the Cross-border Healthcare Directive (Directive 2011/24/EU). The Directive clearly states that that the costs for healthcare received in another EU country must be reimbursed to the same level that would have been calculated by the Member State if the healthcare service had been provided in that country; however, the reimbursement may not exceed actual costs. Therefore, the Commission has called for costs to be reimbursed based on the costs of the statutory healthcare system because there should not be a disincentive for patients to receive treatment abroad. Finland now has two months to explain to the Commission what measures have been taken to bring the level of reimbursement in line with the Directive. If Finland fails to do this, the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.  

 

For more information about reimbursement for medical treatment in other EU countries http://www.eu-patienten.de/