Estonia
(ref 1)
Summary
In Estonia treatment is restricted to legally regulated personnel. CAM is not regulated.
Professionals and non-professionals
Legally regulated personnel
Health Service Organisation Act (2001) regulates health care service and health personnel. Only authorised health personnel are allowed to carry out medical acts, and the practise of medicine without a legal qualification is an offence. There is no positive list of health care services. Any service that is provided with the aim to treat patients and cure illness is regarded as health care and only authorised medical professionals can provide it. There are no restrictions of CAM practised by authorised health personnel; they may provide acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractics etc. However, the treatment has to be considered as "responsible professional conduct". The authority (The health care Board of Estonia) supervises registered (authorised and licensed) health personnel.
Not anybody may treat
There are no general CAM regulations in the country. According to art.184 of the Penal Code and the Health Service Organisation Act, providers who are not registered with a title may treat patients if they do not pretend to be health care professionals and do not practise within public service. If somebody claims a provider is an intruder to health service, the court will decide. If the court determines the provider is not an intruder, she or he can continue services and this issue is only business matter (pay taxes).
Reimbursement
Public reimbursement is not available for CAM treatment.
References
1. Health Care Board of Estonia, 17.11.04 and 03.06.05 (http://www/tervishoiuamet.ee or http//www/legaltext.ee)
