Abstract

The article deals with the specific issue of cross-border patient movements. It examines the feasibility of maintaining prior authorization schemes, which aim to ensure that only insured persons who have prior authorization are reimbursed for healthcare provided in another Member State. The focus is on Directive 2011/24/EU and the case law of the CJEU, in particular on the WO and Vas Megyei Kormányhivatal case. The article both describes the current legal developments and provides an insight into the internal Hungarian legal framework surrounding the still pending WO case. The article highlights the extreme complexity of the area where individuals might find it difficult to enforce their rights. The article argues that the case law of the CJEU has overstepped the formal condition of prior authorization and advocates for common interpretative rules at EU level which could facilitate the implementation of the notions stemming from the case law.