Cross border medical care beginning to thrive in border regions

People living in the Czech border regions have gradually got used to the concept of cross-border medical care within the EU. For many locals, clinics in neighbouring Germany are closer and more expedient than the nearest medical facility in the Czech Republic, while many Germans and Austrians seek out dental care at Czech clinics which are significantly cheaper.

Illustrative photo: European Commission

The strengthening of cross border cultural and business ties is gradually changing life in the border regions. Cross border travel and the number of daily commuters have increased as the locals avail themselves of the opportunities opening up – people work in neighboring Germany, do their weekend shopping in Poland or eat out at an Austrian restaurant a stone’s throw from their home.

Since April of last year a new EU regulation also enables them to seek out medical attention in an EU state without giving their insurance company advance notice. And clinics in the border regions are advertising their services. For instance the clinic in Weiden, Germany, has currently put up billboards in the west Bohemian town of Pilsen, letting Czechs know that the facility offers top-quality medical care, minimal waiting periods and has Czech-speaking doctors and nurses on its staff.

Illustrative photo: Filip Jandourek

Many Czech patients who find they would have to wait longer for certain kinds of treatment are discovering the benefits of this offer, albeit at a greater expense. They pay for the treatment at the Weiden clinic – or any other foreign institution, and then get the money reimbursed by their Czech insurance company, which will generally pay out what the particular treatment would have cost in the Czech Republic. Sometimes this means footing part of the bill – other times not. For instance treatment of heart disease is cheaper in Germany on the other hand getting an artificial joint is a lot more expensive – at Czech hospitals the price is at around 55 thousand crowns, in Germany it is the equivalent of 266 thousand crowns.

On the other hand Czech dental clinics along the country’s southern border are doing good business and advertising their services in neighbouring Austria. Vaclav Bruna opened a private dental clinic in the border town of Dolní Dvořiště twenty years ago. Over that time the clinic has treated twenty thousand patients from neighbouring Austria and Germany – and now employs four dentists full time. Dr. Bruna explains what attracts clients.

Illustrative photo: Filip Jandourek

“We specialize largely on implants which insurance companies in Austria and Germany do not cover. And we offer clients the same quality they would get at home for significantly lower prices – at half or a third of the cost. ”

At present the country’s largest health insurer VZP has over 700 requests for refunds of medical treatment abroad – of that over 17 percent are for treatment in Germany, 13 percent in Austria and 30 percent in Slovakia where the cost of treatment is usually covered fully.