European Commission proposes rules for cross border health care

The European Commission has tabled draft legislation setting out rules whereby patients who choose to receive medical treatment in another European Union country would be reimbursed by their national health authority.

The proposal follows several judgments over the past decade by the European Court of Justice confirming that individuals have the right to be reimbursed for health care they receive abroad, subject to certain conditions. However, uncertainty over the exact way the right should be exercised and the effects that an increase in demand would have on countries’ health …