Using a referral to get healthcare abroad
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
You can access healthcare abroad using the Cross Border Directive (CBD) in much the same way that you would access public healthcare in Ireland.
You may need to pay up front for any healthcare you get abroad. You can then apply for repayment towards the cost of your healthcare.
The typical steps you would take when getting healthcare or treatment in a public hospital in Ireland are:
The consultant will decide to either:
If you are on a waiting list for treatment, you will be called for hospital treatment - this is called inpatient treatment.
You will then have a follow up appointment with the consultant.
You will then be discharged back to your GP.
At any stage in the steps outlined above, you can decide to leave the Irish system and get healthcare abroad under the CBD.
For example:
When your GP refers you as a public patient to a public hospital in Ireland, you can use that referral to have the same healthcare abroad instead. You just need to contact the hospital abroad you want to go to and arrange an outpatient appointment.
If you are on a waiting list in Ireland, you can use your referral or waiting list letter to get healthcare abroad.
You must have a referral from a GP or public hospital consultant to access most types of healthcare abroad under the CBD. Your doctor will discuss your options with you.
They will need to refer you to a specific healthcare provider abroad. But they may also refuse to do so. Your GP or consultant may refuse to refer you directly abroad if they’re:
But if they refer you to a public hospital in Ireland, you can use that referral to access the same healthcare abroad.
Your referral letter must include:
Your referring doctor in Ireland can advise you if your healthcare can be accessed under the CBD.
But if you are in doubt contact the Cross Border Directive office in Ireland. The office is known as the National Contact Point.
A GP can refer you for healthcare under the CBD.
If you plan to use a referral from a doctor abroad, contact the National Contact Point.
Your GP or consultant can refer you for community-based services.
You can also be referred for some community-based services by:
There is a specific process you need to follow if you are accessing addiction care abroad.
Read information on how to access addiction care abroad