Brussels, 14/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has sent reasoned opinions (second stage of the infringement procedure) to twelve member states that have not fully transposed European rules on patients' rights in cross-border healthcare into their respective national legislations. This directive clarifies patients' rights to choose treatment in another member state and to be reimbursed in their home countries. It also requires healthcare systems and providers to provide patients with all the necessary information to make informed choices about their treatment in other member states. In Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Finland, France, Poland and the United Kingdom, the directive has been partly implemented but certain provisions are still lacking, particularly with regard to clear implementation of the regulations involving repayment for treatment received abroad and the obligation for national contact points to help each other guarantee that invoices are clearly understood. Two other member states, Ireland and Luxembourg, have not informed the Commission about any measures for transposing the directive, although the deadline for complete transposition was 25 October 2013. The states concerned have two months to inform the Commission about their intentions in this connection, failing which the cases may be referred to the European Court of Justice. (IL)