The regional Health System recuperated nearly 5 million euros in health costs incurred by tourists and European nationals thanks to improvements in its administrative systems and billing processes in 2009.
Previously lack of personnel in small health centres, overwork in hospitals and a general lack of efficient administration led to major losses for the regional health service largely due to its failure “to bill” for providing health care to tourists and European nationals not entitled to free care.
In 2009 some 10,465 tourists were seen by the health service at a cost of 5.8 million euros. A 48.4% increase in billing meant that some 4.732.540 euros were reclaimed. European Health Services billed the regional health service for 1.228.698 euros in health costs incurred by tourists from Murcia.
