Frequently Asked Questions
Often, travel and certain non-clinical costs are not covered. We’ll clarify what’s typically excluded.
Rehab plans are individual. We can help organise physio arrangements while abroad and ensure you leave with a plan to continue at home.
That’s common. Our process is built to reduce uncertainty with clear steps and coordinated logistics
A coordinator reviews your answers and contacts you to confirm details and outline next steps.
- We assist you with gathering pre travel requirements, like blood tests, scans, GP referral letter, etc.
- We find the best hospital, surgeons and physicians that are the right fit for your requirements.
- We assist you with booking your travel and accommodation.
- We provide transportation from the airport to your hotel and hospital/clinic.
- We will minimise any additional hassle with paperwork that may arise after your surgery so you can focus on your treatment and recovery.
- We assist you with completing your HSE refund application form and ensuring that all the required documentation is included with your application.
Not always, but confirmed diagnosis and imaging help us assess suitability and next steps faster
A GP referral is commonly required for treatment pathways and is typically important for documentation.
Timelines depend on clinical review, availability, and your readiness to travel. We’ll give you the earliest realistic options after reviewing your details.
Suitability depends on overall health, mobility goals, imaging, and specialist assessment.
Commonly: GP referral, imaging reports, consultant letters (if any), medical history, medication list.
You usually pay and then apply to the HSE for repayment after treatment, subject to eligibility. Some cases require prior notification.
Surgery Now is an Irish cross-border healthcare service, that helps people by-pass long waiting lists to receive free care in EU Countries, under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive.
The EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive allows an EU citizen to travel to another EU country for treatment, and their home government will issue a refund for the cost of this treatment.
No, you don’t need to be on a waiting list. This scheme is available to any person that would be entitled to treatment in an Irish hospital.
Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive scheme, the HSE will provide a refund for the patient’s consultation, treatment and rehabilitation, when they receive this treatment in another EU country, and up to the amount it would cost the HSE to perform this treatment in Ireland. See full HSE Admitted Patient Price list
Outpatient consultations are also covered.
Surgery Now has partnered with leading private hospitals and clinics to deliver this service.
No, there is no fee for our service.
Our services are funded by the private hospitals and clinics we work with.
Usually patients receive their reimbursement 8-12 weeks of receipt of the completed application and all supporting documentation.
The diagnostics depends on the type of treatment you need. We help you to organise X Rays, MRI scans, ECGs and blood tests, where necessary.
The HSE refund application form is 7 pages. We fill in this form for you to ensure accuracy and avoid errors. You will fill in the few areas that require your signature. We gather all the supporting documentation required by the HSE and create a file for submission for your refund.
While you are abroad, you will visit the hospital for dressing changes and follow up consultation before you travel home.
After you return home to Ireland, you are under the care of the HSE.
If you do not already have one, you may need to apply for an EHIC card at European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on the HSE website, which will cover you for any emergency care while you are traveling abroad.
You can give us a call on 01 437 0960 or email us with your details and we will call you back.
Contact Us Today
Are you eligible for a refund from the HSE when you access Surgery Abroad?
Fill the form or contact us today by email or by phone and we will gladly assist you!