Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Health Insurance.

John Gormley

Question:

275 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will pursue with the Voluntary Health Insurance board the removal of the penal clause governing all claims to the Voluntary Health Insurance, specifically the retention of £250 from a single person claim and £350 from family claims; his views in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10012/01]

I presume the Deputy is referring to the coverage of out-patient costs by the Voluntary Health Insurance board. Under the out-patient scheme, benefits payable are subject to specific limits which were introduced so that the board's liability could be more accurately defined and controlled.

It is not the intention of the out-patient scheme to try to cover all expenses but to provide an element of benefit where insured persons have incurred large expenses in any particular year. The majority of insured benefits provided by VHI relate to in-patient treatment as this is the area where unforeseen healthcare costs, which are beyond the means of most individuals, generally arise and against which insurance protection is primarily required by consumers.

In the case of VHI's long-established plans, the excess limit for an individual contract is £250 and for a family contract £400. The VHI applies lower excess amounts in the case of its more recently introduced "Options Plans". The application of VHI rules in this regard is essentially an operational matter for VHI.

With regard to the development of the health insurance market, as stated in the White Paper on private health insurance, the Government considers that the further evolution of private health insurance should include steps to promote the position of primary care in the system. The choice of products in the market is increasing and includes a variety of approaches to benefit payment in respect of the cost of out-patient treat ment incurred by insured persons. I am aware that the VHI board has been giving consideration to service and product development in a number of areas, including primary care.
Top
Share