Vol. 520 No. 4
101 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the structure of hospital and consultant charges and associated health insurance cover frequently means that patients who avail of more cost effective outpatient or same day treatment have to pay more than those who get in-patient care; and if he will approach the VHI to pursue a more rational structure of charges, excess clauses and balanced billing. [15817/00]
In the first instance, I wish to point out that, in a private health insurance context, the structure of private hospital charges and medical consultants' fees are the product of commercial negotiations between service providers and insurers. I have no function in that process.
I am fully aware of the importance of cost effectiveness in the private health insurance business, which was addressed in the White Paper on Private Health Insurance. It is ultimately a matter for individual insurers to determine the best arrangements for management of their claims costs having regard to prevailing commercial and competitive considerations. Specifically in relation to the VHI, the powers of the Minister, as set out in the VHI Acts 1957 to 1998, do not extend to commercial arrangements or day-to-day operational matters.
