The volume will undoubtedly increase when these limitations cease to exist and may result in larger health insurance companies and a cross-border organisation for specialised elements of health care. Only with respect to goods such as medicines and medical devices does a European market begin to manifest itself. National barriers still exist, but the development of a European market is only a question of time. The volume of cross-border movements is only limited. The advantages of the European market can mainly be found in the possibilities it offers to evade limitations of the national health care system.
Patients can cross the border when there are waiting lists in their own country.
Health insurance companies can call in foreign health professionals or the assistance of institutions when there is a shortage in their own country. Health professionals can go to another Member State if they cannot find work in their own country. Institutions will be able to make full use of their capacity by treating patients from other Member States as well. The consequences for costs and quality of the care seem to be limited in the short and medium term. In the long term capacity planners will have to take into account what is on offer across the border.