Health Ministry targets unpaid medical bills from foreign visitors
The Ministry of Health is establishing a working group to improve the billing and collection of costs for medical care provided by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) to non-resident foreigners. Officials noted that millions of euros in medical expenses remain unpaid, particularly in the Algarve region, where the volume of visitors is high.
ULS Alto Ave is the Alto Ave Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Ave), a public body that runs hospitals and some primary-care services for the Ave area in northern Portugal. It is part of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), and recent staff strikes have affected overtime and complementary work, so residents should check local hospital notices before visiting.
