The new Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme offering eligible
patients the opportunity to reclaim costs for treatments received
outside Northern Ireland has gone live this morning.
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.
“I will continue to bring forward further measures to
ensure patients across Northern Ireland get the care they need
more quickly.”
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. Initially, it
will cover procedures carried out in the Republic of Ireland and
will subsequently be extended to the rest of the European
Union.
Patients must receive prior approval from the Department before
proceeding with treatment. Retrospective applications will not be
accepted.
The Scheme is being implemented in phases:
- Phase One (from 2 June 2025): reimbursement for eligible
treatments in the Republic of Ireland.
- Phase Two (Autumn 2025): planned extension to cover
treatments across the European Union.
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 dedicated online information hub is available for patients to
find all the information about the scheme such as how to apply,
frequently asked questions and an application form.
The hub can be accessed on the following link: https://online.hscni.net/our-work/travelfortreatment/wl-reimbursement/
