Gay Mitchell
Question:211 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children whether it is in the interest of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 to continue to make P plan VHI contribution in view of his circumstances. [10834/98]
Written Answers. - Voluntary Health Insurance.
Under the Health (In-Patient Charges) Regulations, 1987, as amended by the Health (In-Patient Charges) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997, a person is liable for a statutory charge unless otherwise exempt, in respect of in-patient public hospital services. Currently, the charge is £25 per night subject to a maximum payment in any 12 consecutive months of £250.
Public hospital statutory charges are based on the principle that those who can afford to do so are required to make a contribution towards the cost of providing hospital services. There are a number of exemptions to the charge, including medical card holders, women receiving services in respect of motherhood and persons receiving services in respect of prescribed infectious diseases. Furthermore, the charge may be waived in respect of an individual if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, payment would cause undue hardship.
VHI Plan P covers the payment of the statutory charge only. There are no other benefits available under the plan which costs £15.98 per adult per annum. It is a matter for the person concerned to determine if he requires such cover. If he is not entitled to a medical card or is not otherwise exempt he is liable for the charge.
Under the Health Act, 1970, determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Medical cards are issued to those who, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, are unable to provide general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants without undue hardship.
Income guidelines have been drawn up by the chief executive officers to assist in the determination of a person's eligibility and these guidelines are revised annually in line with the consumer price index. Based on the details supplied by the Deputy the income of the person concerned is above the guidelines. However, the guidelines are not statutorily binding and even though his income exceeds the guidelines, he may still be awarded a medical card if the chief executive officer considers that his medical needs or other circumstances would justify this. If the person concerned considers that he has an entitlement on this basis he should make an application for a medical card to his local community care office.