What is the Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme?
The Department of Health has introduced the Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme (WLRS). This scheme provides an option for eligible patients to access private treatment in the Republic of Ireland and the wider European Union. Eligible patients will be reimbursed up to the equivalent cost of the treatment, if carried out within the Health and Social Care (HSC) system in Northern Ireland.
The scheme has been updated to include treatment in the European Union
The scheme is available to ordinary residents of Northern Ireland who have been on a HSCNI waiting list for one year or more. A person is ordinarily resident if they are living in the United Kingdom lawfully, voluntarily, or for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, whether for a long or short duration.
Further information on eligibility can be accessed from 15th September on the reimbursement webpage - the site will be accessible via https://online.hscni.net/ourwork/travelfortreatment/roi-reimbursement/
Applying for reimbursement
To be reimbursed for your procedure, you must obtain prior approval from the Department of Health before proceeding with your treatment. Further information on how to apply can be accessed on the reimbursement webpage identified above.
Contact information
National Contact Point
Strategic Planning and Performance Group
Department of Health
3rd Floor
12-22 Linenhall Street
Belfast BT2 8BS
Email: NationalContactPoint@hscni.net
Phone: 028 95 368303 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)