German guests can obtain from their Health fund the reimbursement of thermal and other medical treatments done abroad. This is what has been clarified by the German National Contact Point, answering a precise question from Doctor Fabrizio Caldara, scientific director of the “Pietro D’Abano” Thermal Studies Center.

Regulations

A European directive (2011/24/UE) regulates the refund of medical treatments abroad. In Germany patients insured in the statutory healthcare system are generally entitled to apply for spa treatment if certain conditions are fulfilled. Among other things they need a prescription from the attending physician that spa treatment is necessary on medical grounds and an authorization of the competent German health fund.

The spa treatment can only be performed in recognized spa resorts (such as the AbanoRITZ Hotel). The patient is free to choose the spa resort himself. He can also choose a spa resort in another country of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Norway or Switzerland as long as it is a recognized spa resort in this country and the healthcare system of this country also has a similar structure of spa services like Germany.

The competent German health fund assume a part of the costs incurred by the patient, for example for physiotherapeutic treatment, medical treatment or counselling, lodging and subsistence costs. If the patient chose a treatment abroad the competent German health fund reimburses the same costs as if the treatment took place in Germany.

In the latter case the competent health fund can deduct from the reimbursement amount a flat-rate for administrative costs and the lack of a value-for-money audits.

Following this link you could check out the complete regulations.