The demand for EU cross-border care: An empirical analysis

Abstract Although there is much political discussion on cross-border care within the European Union, the data regarding the extent and characteristics of actual demand are poor. As national and EU policymakers as well as health insurance funds need decision support in this field, the present paper provides an empirical analysis of responses from a survey conducted to analyse experiences regarding EU cross-border care. The survey, conducted by Germany's statutory health insurance fund, Techniker Krankenkasse, selected 34,000 fund members who received medical treatment in other EU member states in 2007. A total of 11,898 questionnaires were returned within a four-week period, which is testament to the strong interest in cross-border care. The survey sample was assumed to be representative, and the results were extrapolated to the statutory health insurance system and Germany as a whole. The results show the characteristics of demand in Germany, which EU member states are most frequented, which illnesses and benefits are mainly affected, the satisfaction of insurants, and the role of planned treatments in cross-border care.