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Introducing SOLVIT What is SOLVIT? SOLVIT Belgium in 2015 SOLVIT and cross-border healthcare Complaint types Examples What can SOLVIT do for you? 2
SOLVIT – help with cross-border problems SOLVIT is a European mediation service, established in 2002 There is a SOLVIT center in each European MS, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. SOLVIT prevents expensive and slow juridical procedures SOLVIT is free of charge In 2015, the SOLVIT-network received 4775 complaints , with a resolution rate of 84%. 3
When can SOLVIT help? SOLVIT helps citizens and businesses: To find a solution for cross-border problems; That are due to a misapplication of European legislation, by a public service in another MS Where an administrative, informal solution is possible. 4
When can SOLVIT not help: If there is an juridical procedure underway. In case of a question for general information. With problems between citizens and businesses. When SOLVIT cannot help, the applicant will be referred to the competent service: Your Europe Advice, European Consumer Center, the Federal Ombudsman… 5
How does SOLVIT work? (1) 6
How does SOLVIT work? (2) As a Home-center: Management of new complaints from Belgian companies or citizens against public services in other MS Analysing the cross-border problem in regard of the European legislation applicable if necessary in cooperation with national experts On the base of a juridical analyses we file the complain against the SOLVIT center in the MS where the problem occurs As a Lead-center: Management of complaints against our national administration Contact with national experts or public administration concerned Resoolve the applicant’s practical problem with an informal solution 7
SOLVIT Belgium in 2015 (1) 8
SOLVIT Belgium in 2015 (2) 9
SOLVIT and cross-border health care Application of Directive 2011/24 and Directive 2004/883 Reimbursement of costs Prior autorisation for planned treatment Prescriptions issued in another MS Decision on EHIC Non-recognition of EHIC in other MS Refusal to grant EHIC for nationals of other MS 10
SOLVIT and cross-border health care – some examples (1) An Italian citizen visiting Disneyland in France had an accident and needed urgent surgery – which she received in a French public hospital. Upon her arrival at home, she received a bill from the hospital asking her to reimburse more than 12,000 EUR for the medical care she received. Since she was insured in Italy and carried an EHIC, her insurance should directly be summoned to pay for the costs. SOLVIT France explained the situation to the hospital where she received treatment, and they quickly adressed their administrative error and sent the bill directly to the Italian health insurance. 11
SOLVIT and cross-border health care – some examples (2) A Romanian citizen had a car accident and was treated urgently in a Luxemburg hospital. Because she did not have a valid EHIC with her, not any other document proving she had a health insurance, she paid the full sum when leaving the hospital. However, she had difficulties in obtaining a reimbursement from the LU authoities. Only after an intervention from SOLVIT, the LU authorities contacted their Romanian counterparts and did the necessary to reimburse the complainant. 12
SOLVIT and cross-border health care – some examples (3) A Polish citizen moved to Belgium in January, and received substantial medical treatment here in February. He was in the process of registering with a Belgian health insurance provider (mutualité), but he still needed an S1-form from his former Polish insurance. The Polish authorities only dated the S1-form from September on, meaning that he could not obtain a retroactive reimbursement from his Belgian health care – and the Polish authorities did not reimburse because he did not ask for a prior autorisation. SOLVIT Poland found out that the applicant only alerted the polish authorities that he left the country until September 2015, so he stayed registered in Poland until then, and could therefore not receive an S1 to retroactively register with a Belgian mutualité. 13
Contact SOLVIT Belgium FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and developpement cooperation DG European Affairs and Coordination Karmelietenstraat 15 1000 BRUSSEL Tel. 02 501 30 51 Valérie Carlier (35 12) Lore Aerts (31 33) Laura Adriaensen (32 50) solvit@diplobel.fed.be 14
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