Mr.Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is available to him as to the numbers of United Kingdom citizens requiring medical treatment while visiting other European Economic Community countries who have, and who have not, made advance arrangements for this contingency by completing form E111; what steps are taken to facilitate this procedure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr.John PattenAs far as those in possession of form E111 are concerned I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to him on 8 May.
The Community's Social Security Regulations Numbers (EEC) 1408/71 and (EEC) 574/72, under which the reciprocal health care arrangements are made, provide that, where required, the certificate of entitlement (E111) should be produced at the time treatment is sought, to the insurance body of the member state concerned. However, there is also provision for the certificates exceptionally to be issued, and for medical expenses incurred to be 402W reimbursed, retrospectively, in the case of a person who has not obtained an El11 in advance. In 1983 our Department processed 6,391 retrospective applications for reimbursement. The arrangements for obtaining reimbursement retrospectively are set out on page 10 of DHSS leaflet SA36, a copy of which is in the Library.