Navigating the New Landscape of Cross-Border Healthcare: A Guide for Patients from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

17 October 2024

Guide to Cross-Border Healthcare Between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

What is Cross-Border Healthcare?

If you live in Ireland and need medical treatment, you can get help in other countries, including Northern Ireland. This is called Cross-Border Healthcare. It’s for people who want faster treatment or need special care that might not be available quickly in Ireland. You can get your costs back if the treatment is also available in Ireland.

Am I Eligible?

To use Cross-Border Healthcare, you need to meet these conditions:

You must live in Ireland and plan to stay for at least a year.
You must be entitled to public healthcare in Ireland.
The treatment you need should be something that is provided by public healthcare in Ireland.
You need a referral letter from your doctor.

How to Apply

Here’s how to get your treatment:

Make sure you meet all the requirements.
Get a referral letter from your doctor.
Contact Newry Clinic to set up an appointment with a specialist.
Go to your consultation and book your treatment.
Have your treatment at Newry Clinic or a private hospital in Belfast.
Apply to get your costs back from the HSE Cross-Border Directive (CBD).
Send the invoice we give you to the HSE for a refund.

Outpatient Consultation

Before you get treated, you need to have an outpatient consultation. We will arrange this for you quickly. You can choose a time that fits your schedule, and it’s usually done in person unless it's a simple day-case treatment.

The Referral Letter

Your referral letter should include:

Your name, address, and date of birth.
The name of the hospital or service.
A summary of your condition and why you need treatment.
The signature of the referring doctor.

Make sure your letter is for public healthcare if you want to claim back costs.

Prior Notification

You can contact the CBD office in Ireland to check if you are eligible to get your costs back. This helps you know how much you can claim and whether you need to pay for your treatment upfront.

Reimbursement Schemes

Republic of Ireland Reimbursement Scheme

To get your costs back, send:

The invoice we give you.
A copy of your referral letter showing you’re on an Irish public health waiting list.
Proof that you paid the healthcare provider.

You can claim back the smaller amount of:

What you paid for treatment abroad, or
What the same treatment would have cost in Ireland.

You can’t claim for travel costs, medicines, or translation costs.

NHS Reimbursement Schemes

Since the UK left the EU, things have changed. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) do not cover planned treatment abroad anymore. They only cover emergency care while travelling.

If you need planned treatment, there are two ways:

The S2 Route: This may provide NHS funding if you get approval before treatment and if NHS cannot provide timely care.
The EU Directive Route: This was similar to the Cross-Border Directive but is no longer available for new claims since the UK left the EU. Claims for past treatments may still be possible.

Costs of Medical Procedures

Costs for treatments can vary. For example:

Hip Replacement: Day-case cost is about €5,935. Inpatient costs can range from €12,679 to €47,453.
Knee Replacement: Day-case cost is about €10,873. Inpatient costs can range from €12,993 to €16,705.

Insurance Options

You might have private insurance to cover your treatment abroad. Make sure to check what your policy covers and keep all documents related to your treatment.

Real-Life Experiences

Here’s what some of our patients say:

Cork County: “My daughter got great care quickly. The team was excellent and very helpful.”
Kerry: “I had a thorough consultation and excellent service.”
Dublin: “I needed a scan fast, and they helped me get it done quickly.”

For more information or to book an appointment, visit our website or give us a call.