Limerick East): In the absence of agreement between the VHI and the Independent Hospitals' Association of Ireland in respect of payment arrangements for this year the parties have, respectively, introduced measures to meet the circumstances which have arisen. These measures have been notified to the public by way of newspaper advertisements.
Each of the private hospitals concerned will ask patients to sign a document assigning their VHI benefit to it with a view to claiming it directly from VHI. Patients who opt to sign this form will not be required to settle their accounts at the time of discharge. It is a matter for the individual patient to decide whether or not to sign such a form. The VHI has indicated that it will pay directly to the member any eligible hospital account within three weeks of receipt of the completed claim form and relevant invoices. The VHI is not imposing any obligation on members to settle hospital accounts before benefit is paid at the appropriate rate.
As I have stated previously in the House, I cannot intervene in this dispute as it would not be appropriate for me to do so in view of my role as the regulatory authority for the health insurance market generally. I cannot, for example, attempt to bring about a solution which would lessen the financial exposure of the dominant insurer in the market, neither can I increase the return to private hospitals which could affect future competition. However, I have called on the parties to try to resolve their differences as a matter of urgency and I repeat that call today.
