Apply for NIPHS healthcare costs

To apply for healthcare costs, send us a completed healthcare costs application form.

The healthcare professional in Northern Ireland must complete section 4.

Documents you need to provide

With your completed application form, you also need to provide:

• a copy of a referral letter or a letter confirming you are on a public waiting list in the Republic of Ireland for the healthcare listed in your application
• proof of payment for your treatment
• proof that you paid the healthcare provider in Northern Ireland directly

If you are applying for orthodontic treatment for a child, you must also provide a letter from your HSE orthodontic service to show they are eligible for treatment.

Referral letter

The referral can be to a public service in the Republic of Ireland or a private service in Northern Ireland.

The referral letter must include:

• your name, address and date of birth
• the name and address of a hospital or healthcare service and the speciality, for example, orthopaedics or neurology
• a summary of your condition and any diagnosis, if known
• the reason for the referral or healthcare you need
• the referring professional’s signature - an electronic referral does not need a signature

The date on your referral letter must be before the date you had your outpatient consultation.

If you have a referral from a GP abroad, contact us for help.

Proof of payment

Your proof of payment must include:

• patient’s name and address
• name, address and phone number of the healthcare provider
• the treatment provided
• date of treatment
• the amount paid
• a breakdown and description of all treatment charges and VAT, if relevant

Proof you made the payment

You must also provide proof that you paid the healthcare provider directly.

Examples of proof you made the payment include your:

• bank or credit card statement
• credit or debit card receipt
• copy of an electronic fund transfer (EFT) from your account to the healthcare provider’s account
• copy of a bank draft paid to the healthcare provider
• cash receipt

We must be able to identify the payee (the healthcare provider) and the payer (you). The name of the healthcare provider and the amount paid must match the information in your proof of payment.

Prior notification

If you plan to have inpatient or day case treatment, you can apply for prior notification before you travel abroad for treatment. You still need to apply for healthcare costs after you have your healthcare in Northern Ireland.

If you apply for prior notification, we can:

• confirm if you are eligible to apply for healthcare costs
• give you an indication of how much you might get

Apply for prior notification

Payments

Payments are made only to the patient or their parent or guardian if the patient is under 18.

The executor of the patient’s estate can apply for healthcare costs if the patient has died.