Ombudsman finds HSE did not reimburse legitimate claims for treatment abroad

A report entitled In Sickness and in Debt, published today, makes 21 recommendations for better management of three schemes. The recommendations have been accepted by the HSE. 

The HSE has been refusing to reimburse often elderly and vulnerable patients’ legitimate costs for going abroad to seek treatment because they couldn't get the operations here, the Ombudsman has found.

The delays in reimbursing patients or withholding of the funds due to them under EU health schemes drove patients into debt, said Ombudsman Ger Deering.