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After you have paid for your healthcare with a private provider in Northern Ireland, you can apply for a repayment towards the cost under the Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme (NIPHS).
How much you can claim under the NIPHS
How to qualify for the NIPHS scheme
Completing the NIPHS pro forma invoice
To apply for repayment under the NIPHS, you and your healthcare provider in Northern Ireland should complete the pro forma invoice (PDF, 835 KB, 19 pages).
Before you leave the hospital, ask the consultant to fill in part B.
They must use the correct DRG (Diagnosis-Related Group) code.
Documents you need to send
To apply for repayment you must submit your:
- completed pro forma invoice
- hospital's original invoice and receipt
- referral letter from the GP or public consultant in Ireland
- proof of direct payment to the hospital in Northern Ireland such as a bank or credit card statement or bank transfer (EFT)
Examples of proof of payment
Other examples of proof of payment include:
- cash register receipt
- credit or debit card receipt
- copy of the electronic fund transfer (EFT) from your account to the account of the hospital abroad
- copy of the bank draft paid to the hospital abroad
You must pay the hospital for your healthcare directly.
If you paid in a different currency
If you used a currency other than Euro to pay for your healthcare, you can claim repayment based on the exchange rate you were given at the time.
But you must include proof of the exchange rate in your application, such as a bank statement or a currency exchange receipt.
Applying for repayment
Send the completed invoice and supporting documents to:
Northern Ireland Planned Healthcare Scheme,
HSE,
St Canice’s Hospital,
Kilkenny,
Co. Kilkenny
We aim to repay patients within 20 working days of getting all the completed documents. But payments may take at least 3 months.
Repayments are made only to the patient or a parent or guardian if the patient is under 18.
The executor of a patient’s estate can apply for repayment if the patient has died.
Contact the NIPHS office about a repayment
Appeal a decision on the NIPHS
Misleading information
You’re breaking the law if you enter any false or misleading information on the pro forma invoice.
If you are paid money based on false or misleading information, the HSE will reclaim the money from you.