Inceasing number of Mayo patients availing of medical procedures outside State
A total of 232 Mayo patients have availed of treatment outside the State, funded by the HSE, in 2024 and 2025.
The information has been furnished to Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at today's meeting of the HSE West Forum.
Up to 98 patients underwent medical procedures under the EU/EEA under the Cross Border Directive (CBD) scheme while a further 134 has operations under the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme.
In general, the Northern Ireland Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS) allows public patients to access healthcare in the private healthcare sector of Northern Ireland, where the treatment is one they are entitled to access in Ireland.
The patient pays for the treatment up front and claims reimbursement upon return to Ireland.
Reimbursement is at the cost of the treatment in Northern Ireland or the cost of the treatment in Ireland whichever is the lesser.
Public patient pathways as they apply to accessing the healthcare in Ireland equally apply to accessing the healthcare abroad under the NIPHS.
The Cross Border Directive (CBD) allows public patients to access healthcare in another EU/EEA country which they are entitled to access in Ireland.
The patient pays for the treatment up front and claims reimbursement upon return to Ireland.
Reimbursement is at the cost of the treatment abroad or the cost of the treatment in Ireland whichever is the lesser.
Public patient pathways as they apply to accessing the healthcare in Ireland equally apply to accessing the healthcare abroad under the CBD.
Both the NIPHS and the CBD entitle patients to access healthcare which the patient is entitled to in the public healthcare system in Ireland.
The patient simply opts to access it abroad under the provisions of the scheme of his/her choosing.
The same rules which apply to accessing a treatment in Ireland equally apply to accessing the healthcare under both the schemes.
Both schemes are based on the patient paying upfront for the healthcare and seeking reimbursement upon return to Ireland.
Reimbursement is at the cost of the healthcare abroad or the cost of the healthcare in Ireland whichever is the lesser.