Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 Jul 1995

Vol. 455 No. 5

Written Answers. - Insurance Regulations.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

64 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health, in view of his plans to sign insurance regulations into law next month when Dáil Éireann will not be in plenary session, which will have the effect that health insurers will offer a statutory minimum of only 40 days in-patient treatment for psychiatric patients compared to 180 days for medical in-patient treatment, the implications, if any, for psychiatric patients if the minimum guidelines are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12485/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The draft minimum benefit regulations pursuant to the Health Insurance Act, 1994 require health insurers to provide minimum benefit in respect of in-patient psychiatric treatment for a period of 40 days in any one year. This is the first time that psychiatric cover will be required on a statutory basis in this country and the 40 days will ensure that some level of such cover is available to members of insurance schemes. This will prevent a situation developing whereby, as in many schemes abroad, insurers refuse to offer benefit for psychiatric care or offer it at a level below 30 days. I should emphasise again that this is minimum benefit and that insurers will be free to offer any higher level they wish. Patients who require psychiatric care will continue to have a wide range of services available to them in an appropriate setting.