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Planned Treatment in the EU & Applying for the Opinion of a Second Specialist
Planned treatment abroad (in the EU member states) is available, but you must first apply for prior authorisation from the EHIF to fund the healthcare service. The patient should keep in mind that EHIF only reimburses the cost of health services for which the patient has health insurance coverage in Estonia. In other words, the compensation is not paid for health services for which the patient has to pay in Estonia (such as adult dental care) or which are not indicated for the patient based on his or her health status. In addition, the patient should take into account that the health insurance fund pays compensation according to the price list of health services of the health insurance fund instead of a foreign price list. Estonian Health Insurance Act states that EHIF will assume the obligation to pay for the second opinion of a medical specialist once per treatment. Insurance fund will similarly assume obligation to pay for a second opinion in another EU state or a country outside of the European Union. To get a second opinion on treatment in Estonia, a patient has to submit an application and related health documents to another medical specialist working in the same field. Family doctors can also refer their patients to another specialist for a second opinion if needed. More information can be found on the website of EHIF: https://haigekassa.ee/en/kontaktpunkt/healthcare-eu-and-elsewhere/ 19
