WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2498/97 by Maren GÜNTHER to the Commission. Ensuring correct payment of doctors' fees by patients from other European countries
Date: 1997-07-18
Institutions: European Parliament, GUENTHER
Subjects: Portugal, health care, residential mobility, social security, social security legislation, worker (EU)

11. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 76/117

(98/C 76/224)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2498/97

by Maren Gu¤nther (PPE) to the Commission

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Ensuring correct payment of doctors(cid:146) fees by patients from other European countries

Problems  arise  with  the  collection  of  doctors(cid:146)  fees,  particularly  in  cases  where  Portuguese  patients  who  are
employees change their place of residence frequently.

In the case of Portuguese employees it is not possible to produce evidence of insurance with a health insurance
fund.

Moreover, because of frequent changes of place of residence, the particulars shown in identity documents also do
not make it possible to obtain the necessary information about the patient or his insurance.

How can correct payment of doctors(cid:146) fees by patients from other European countries be ensured?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission

(9 September 1997)

The social security systems of the Member States are coordinated by Council Regulations (EEC) No 1408/71 and
574/72 (1). Under these Regulations a person who is employed in Portugal and who is posted by his employer to
perform work in another Member State continues to be subject to the Portuguese social security scheme if the
posting does not exceed 12 months.

In such a case the Portuguese worker remains covered by the Portuguese health care scheme. This means that he
is entitled to receive health care in Portugal and also in the Member State of actual employment. In the latter case
the benefits in kind are provided by the health care scheme in the Member State of employment on behalf of the
competent Portuguese health system (Article 22 and 22b of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71). In order to receive
benefits the Portuguese system provides the worker with the European health care forms E 111/E 106. In addition
a new form E 128 will be applicable in the future which is specially designed for posted workers who enjoy
extended rights since 1 February 1997.

If the posted worker has a permanent address in the Member State of actual employment he can register with a
health insurance scheme at his place of stay using form E 106. If he has no permanent address he uses form E 111
whenever he needs medical treatment. This form is the proof that the worker is covered by the Portuguese health
care scheme. Any person who presents the form is entitled to medical treatment provided under the legislation of
the Member State of actual employment and the Portuguese system will reimburse the costs.

(1)  Updated by Regulation No 118/97 (OJ L 28, 30.1.1997), lastly amended by Regulation No 1290/97 (OJ L 176, 4.7.1997).

(98/C 76/225)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2502/97

by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission

(18 July 1997)

Subject: Fire at the Sellafield nuclear installation, Britain

On June 12 1997 a fire occurred at Sellafield nuclear complex in Cumbria, Britain, while decommissioning work
was being undertaken.

What details, if any, were given to the Commission about this incident?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 1997)

The Commission has been informed by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) that the fire was contained within a
booth being used to cut up a stainless steel vessel in a redundant building, that no one was hurt and there was no
spread of contamination or release of radioactivity. The fire was dealt with by the site brigade and was reported in
the BNFL Sellafield newsletter of 19 June 1997.