Nicosia: Proposals to abolish advance payments by patients, cover additional travel and accommodation costs based on income criteria, streamline authorisation procedures, and introduce special provisions for children and patients with rare diseases are among recommendations submitted by AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou, the European Parliament rapporteur on the revision of the EU framework for cross-border healthcare.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Georgiou spoke at an event organised by the European Parliament Office in Cyprus on 'Patients' rights and cross-border healthcare.' Thirteen years after Directive 2011/24/EU took effect, significant financial, administrative, and information barriers remain for patients seeking treatment in another EU member state.

The event, held at the EU House in Nicosia, was attended by Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides, AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou, MPs, doctors, healthcare professionals, and representatives of healthcare providers and patients' organisations. Thea Pieridou, Head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, highlighted that the Directive provides the current EU framework for patients' rights in cross-border healthcare and noted that the European Parliament's Public Health Committee is examining ways to strengthen those rights and reduce inequalities.

Georgiou's report calls on the European Commission to modernise the legislative framework to ensure equal and timely access to quality healthcare and reduce financial and administrative barriers between member states. One of his main proposals is to abolish the requirement for patients to pay for treatment upfront and claim reimbursement afterward, which, he said, creates inequalities because not everyone can afford the initial cost. He proposed direct settlement between the competent authorities, as well as reimbursement of related travel and accommodation costs based on income criteria.

Georgiou also emphasised that prior authorisation procedures should not become a 'bureaucratic maze,' particularly when treatment cannot be provided in a patient's home country within a medically justifiable timeframe. He called for clearer information on treatments requiring prior authorisation and a stronger role for National Contact Points, noting that, according to a European Commission survey he cited, only 10% of patients are aware of them. His proposals also include priority access to specialised care and faster procedures for children, as well as mandatory coverage of travel and accommodation costs for children and those accompanying them.

For patients with rare diseases, Georgiou proposed multi-year renewable authorisations for cross-border treatment and improved access to specialised care that may not be available in every member state. He stressed the importance of continuity of care after patients return home, including proper communication between doctors abroad and those responsible for follow-up treatment in their home country.

Briefing journalists later, Georgiou said the report is not binding legislation but calls on the European Commission to submit a legislative proposal to revise the current Directive. He noted that 459 amendments had been tabled by the political groups and negotiations were underway. The report is expected to be put to a vote in the relevant European Parliament committee on December 3 and subsequently before the plenary in February 2027. He said the amendments do not depart from the basic thrust of his proposals and that he would work with the other political groups to reach a compromise text.

Referring specifically to Cyprus, Georgiou stated that the effectiveness of any European framework would also depend on the structures and procedures put in place at the national level, particularly to ensure proper follow-up when patients return from treatment abroad. Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides remarked that cross-border healthcare is particularly important for a small island state such as Cyprus and can be necessary in cases where highly specialised treatment is not available domestically. He stated that access to treatment abroad complements the national health system when a patient's needs exceed what a small country can reasonably provide.

Charalambides added that having a right enshrined in law is not enough. Patients must also know that the right exists and understand the procedures involved, including prior authorisation requirements, cost coverage, and where to seek guidance. AKEL Secretary General Stefanos Stefanou emphasised that continued improvements to Cyprus' General Healthcare System, GESY, should reduce the need for cross-border treatment to cases where it is genuinely necessary. He called for the strengthening of public hospitals and for travel and accommodation costs to be covered for children requiring treatment abroad and those accompanying them. He also urged greater support and guidance for patients with rare and complex diseases and their families.

Also participating in the discussion were AKEL MPs Konstantinos Konstantinou and Panikos Xiourouppas, the Patient Advocate, the head of the government doctors' union, a representative of the State Health Services Organisation, representatives of nurses' and patients' associations, and AKEL health sector head Chrysanthos Georgiou.