Healthcare

The figure is for information only, based on Hungarian standards!
Please always check the exact conditions and current requirements with your home insurer!

Planned treatment

  • Access of EU citizens to health care in Hungary

    I. European Health Insurance Card

    Residents of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, who are entitled to health care of the national health services or mandatory health insurance scheme of their respective countries of residence, can receive in Hungary the health care which becomes necessary on medical grounds during temporary stay in Hungary taking into account the nature of the benefits required and the expected length of stay.

    Treatments

    The treatment, which becomes medically necessary during the patient’s temporary stay in Hungary is free of charge. In case of doubt the health care provider decides whether the needed treatment is medically necessary during the expected duration of the stay in Hungary. However, by virtue of decisions of the European Commission (Decision No. S3), all treatments are deemed necessary in case of dialysis, oxygen therapy and pregnancy and childbirth, special asthma treatment, echocardiography in case of chronic autoimmune diseases and chemotherapy.

    For getting the treatment in the same conditions as Hungarian insured persons, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) must be submitted to the health care provider.

    Documentation required

    You need both the European Health Insurance Card and your passport or ID card.

    Doctors

    You can only obtain treatment from surgeries, which have a sign saying they are contracted with the National Health Insurance Fund. The inscription is generally as follows: "a társadalombiztosítás egészségügyi szolgáltatásaira szerződött szolgáltató".

    If you need medically necessary treatment, it is advised to see a general practitioner (GP – “háziorvos”) first. The GP decides whether further specialised out- or inpatient treatment is necessary and will issue a referral.

    The specialised outpatient care, typically available at outpatient centres (“szakrendelő”), is rendered generally upon referral.

    However, you may seek outpatient care without referral if the treatment relates to dermatology, gynaecology, urology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, oncology or general surgery.

    Dentists

    Following dental treatments are available at dentists contracted with the National Health Insurance Fund (OEP) in case of necessity:
    • emergency care
    • on the basis of specialist’s referral, and treatment related to any basic dental or oral diseases
    • tooth preserving treatments
    • dental surgery treatment
    • gums diseases
    • full range of dental treatments for pregnant women until 90 days following childbirth.

    It is to note that the costs of materials are generally to be borne by the patients.

    Drugs

    Where a doctor or dentist issues a prescription, it should be taken to the pharmacy, where the EHIC shall be submitted as well. Subsidies on medicines can vary according to disease and type of product. The subsidy is provided directly to the pharmacy, so the amount you will have to pay at the purchase of the prescribed medicine is a “co-payment” and therefore it is not refundable.

    Hospital Treatment

    Hospital treatment is normally provided through a referral from a GP. In urgent cases no referral is necessary.

    Co-payment

    A maximum amount of HUF 100 000 is due
    • when obtaining hospital treatment without a referral from a primary health care provider,
    • when using a health care provider other than the one specified in the referral by the prescribing doctor or
    • if you chose to be treated by a doctor who is not on duty at the time of the treatment.
    For extra services (better room, meal etc.) additional charges are applied by hospitals.

    Where can I get further information?

    National Health Insurance Fund
    Department for International and European Union Affairs
    Address: H-1139 Budapest Váci út 73/A.
    Tel: +36 1 350 1618
    Email: nemzetk@oep.hu

    II. Planned treatment in Hungary

    If you come to Hungary in order to obtain healthcare treatment, in accordance with the coordination rules, the costs will only be covered by your sickness insurance institution if you have received permission from it beforehand. Normally, it is up to your health insurance institution to decide whether or not it will give its approval. The competent institution must issue an S2 document certifying your entitlement to receive the treatment in Hungary. It is recommended to contact the service provider in advance.

    Documents required

    You must present the S2 document and your passport or ID card for the healthcare provider.

    Where can I get further information?

    National Health Insurance Fund
    Department for International and European Union Affairs
    Address: H-1139 Budapest Váci út 73/A.
    Tel: +36 1 350 1618
    Email: nemzetk@oep.hu

    III. Access to cross-border healthcare in Hungary

    The deadline for the transposition of Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare has elapsed on 25 October 2013. From this date on patients of EU Member States are entitled to seek or seek to receive healthcare in another Member State. If patients intend to seek planned health care in Hungary, it is important to be aware of the following information.

    Treatments I can receive in Hungary

    Patients, who seek cross-border healthcare in Hungary, are entitled to the following treatments:
    • Preventive medical examination e.g. screening examination
    • Health provision by health providers:
      • GP care
      • Dental care
      • Out-patient care
      • In-patient care
      • Obstetric treatment
      • Medical rehabilitation
      • Transportation of patients
    • Health benefits by cost allowance:
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Medical appliances

    Access to health care

    Patients of another Member States can choose whether they receive cross-border healthcare under the same conditions as Hungarian insured persons or as private patients. The first option means in practice that the patient is subject to the same conditions concerning the access to treatment as Hungarian insured persons e.g. waiting lists, s/he receives treatment from a healthcare provider contracted to the National Health Insurance Fund and s/he pays the charges equaling to the domestic cost. In case of the second option the patient is treated fully as a private patient, in particular s/he is cared in a private health care provider and s/he has to pay the charges determined by the healthcare provider.

    It is important to highlight that the patient must consult his/her choice with the healthcare provider before the treatment.

    Documentation required

    Any documents that certify to be national of an EU Member State or to be entitled to health care in an EU Member State can be presented for the service provider in order to certify the entitlement to cross-border health care. Depending on the treatment concerned referral and medical documentation must also be presented.

    Charges to be paid

    If patients choose to receive treatment under the same conditions as Hungarian insured persons, they must pay the charges equaling to the Hungarian domestic cost being valid at the time receiving the healthcare in question. In case of pharmaceuticals and medical appliances gross consumer price must be paid. Private patients must pay charges determined and published in the schedule of charges of the healthcare provider.

    Charges must usually be paid in advance, before the treatment.

    Which health care provider can patients choose?

    Patients, who receive treatment under the same conditions as Hungarian insured persons, can choose any health care providers, which are contracted to the National Health Insurance Fund. If the access to the treatment is subject to referral i.e. if a referral is necessary to the treatment, they must present it for the health care provider. The referral can be issued either by a health care provider of another EU Member State or by a Hungarian health care provider. It is important to emphasize that the referral issued in another EU Member State must be defined clearly and precisely and must provide sufficient information on the state of health of the patient. The health care provider can refuse to accept the referral if the abovementioned criteria are not met i.e. the referral is not clear or precise enough or it does not contain sufficient information on the state of health of the patient.

    Private patients can choose any health care providers, which provide private health care services. In this case no referral is usually necessary.

    Can health care providers refuse to provide health care?

    Health care providers can refuse to provide cross-border health care only if it hinders to perform their domestic service obligation. In this case the healthcare providers give a written detailed explanation.

    Where can I get further information?

    In order to enable patients to make use of their rights in relation to cross-border healthcare, national contact points have been designated by each Member States, which provide patients with information among others on health care providers, patients’ rights and complaints procedures on their territory. In Hungary the National Centre for Patients’ Rights and Documentation has been designated as national contact point. Its contact details are as follows:

    National Centre for Patients’ Rights and Documentation
    Address: H-1075 Budapest, Madách tér 3-4. IV. em.
    P.O. Box: H-1365 Budapest Pf.: 646
    Tel: +36 20 489 9614
    Email: obdk@obdk.hu

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