asked the Minister for Health if public hospitals refuse to accept as paying public patients those persons who are VHI contributors in the higher income group and who do not wish to avail of private or semiprivate treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - VHI Contributors.
1.
In general it may be said that public wards of hospitals are primarily for patients eligible for services under the Health Acts. However, I am not aware that hospitals refuse to provide public ward accommodation for persons in the higher income group but as such persons are not at present eligible for services under the Health Acts they would, of course, be liable for all expenses, including doctor's fees, even though accommodated in a public ward.
VHI contributors generally cover themselves to have their hospital expenses met as regards both maintenance and treatment expenses.
Even if a person is accommodated in a public ward the fee is not all-in. He has to pay for his doctor's expenses as well even if he is a public patient?
Yes, he has to pay those.