Unlocking Reimbursement: Getting Your Money Back for Treatments Outside Northern Ireland

From Monday eligible patients will be able to reclaim costs of treatments received outside ofNorthern Ireland. The move is part of a new schemelaunched by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt. Subheading: The Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme will commence on June 2, 2025and will apply to procedures obtained in the Republic of Ireland. It will subsequently be extended to the rest of the European Union. Here's everything you need to know about the phase one of the scheme, which Minister Nesbitt says is "part of a much wider package of initiatives to reduce backlogs and deliver better outcomes for patients". Subheading: An initial £10m will be invested in this Scheme, allowing people to claim back costs when they receive treatments outside Northern Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. The Reimbursement Scheme will be available to patients waiting two years or more on a hospital treatment waiting list in NI. Patients will require prior approval from the Department of Health before accessing the scheme. The Scheme will be available to patients who are ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland and have been waiting two years or more for hospital treatment on a HSC waiting list. It will cover procedures carried out in the Republic of Ireland. Subject to available funding, the Department of Health is considering extending the Scheme later this year to include procedures undertaken in other European Union countries. Retrospective applications will not be accepted. Minister Nesbitt said: "This £10million investment is an important step in addressing the serious challenges posed by long hospital waiting lists. As I outlined to the Assembly, this Scheme is part of a much wider package of initiatives to reduce backlogs and deliver better outcomes for patients. It gives those who have waited two years or more the opportunity to seek treatment privately with the reassurance that costs will be reimbursed up to the HSC equivalent rate." Subheading: The Scheme will be implemented in phases: To support patients, a dedicated online information hub will provide full guidance on how to apply, eligibility criteria, frequently asked questions, and access to the application form. A helpline to assist patients with enquiries and the application process will operate Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Further details of how to access the online hub and the telephone helpline will be released in due course. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.