European Commission adopts new cross border healthcare plan

Under the new directive European patients have the legal right to gain access to medical treatment elsewhere in the EU without prior authorization, and get refunded at home. However, it will also lay down the limits that member states can place on such healthcare, and the level of financial coverage provided. The directive, which is part of the commission’s ‘Renewed Social Agenda’, also helps patients gain easier access to information on cross-border healthcare.

According to Androulla Vassiliou, the European Health Commissioner, the new proposal will guarantee the quality and safety of healthcare throughout the EU. The directive is also expected to promote European co-operation on healthcare and maximize the healthcare potential to bring benefits to patients through efficient use of resources.

The commission also said that it will increase efforts to help reduce the overlap and duplication of activities in health technology assessment, and work towards improving the effectiveness of all healthcare systems across the continent.

The measures, which have to be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament, are expected to come into effect in 2010. However certain member states fear that the cross border healthcare may damage the national health systems.