Unveiling the Secrets: How Much Do Non-Resident Foreigners Owe the SNS?

Overview

The ACSS (Central Administration of the Health System) has refrained from disclosing the exact debt amounts owed by non-resident foreigners receiving care through the SNS (National Health Service). Instead, they have provided figures for certain countries with which they have agreements.

Financial Implications

Experts claim that these potential debts are insignificant compared to the annual budget of the SNS, which totals €15.8 million. This raises questions about the overall impact of these debts on the health system's finances.

Key Insights

• The SNS has agreements with various countries regarding health care costs for non-residents.
• The lack of transparency in revealing total debts has sparked concerns among health administrators.
• The debt amounts might not significantly affect the overall budget of the SNS, according to specialists.

Visual Insight

Image Source: Nuno Ferreira Santos Administrators emphasize that the regulations for foreign access to the SNS were established before the current context, where individuals often face years of waiting for regularization.

Authors

This article was written by Alexandra Campos and Joana Gorjão Henriques.