asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the advice being issued by his Department to VHI subscribers in respect of the procedures to be followed by them for the payment of accounts submitted to them by medical consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - VHI Subscribers' Accounts.
65.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the changed circumstances in this area following the passing of the Finance Act earlier this year.
My Department have not given any general advice to VHI subscribers concerning payments to medical consultants. However, in a number of specific instances and in response to complaints, my Department have advised VHI subscribers that, under the terms of the Finance Act, 1988, which obliged the VHI to pay medical treatment benefit to doctors directly less withholding tax, a person who had paid a doctor in advance of the VHI's direct payment was entitled to receive from that doctor a refund of the value of the insurance benefit.
With the exception of a few isolated instances I have no reason to think that the new direct payment system is not working satisfactorily.