Michael Creed
Question:116 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will clarify the obligations on the VHI regarding provision of medical insurance cover to private hospitals. [11088/01]
Written Answers - Medical Insurance.
The Health Insurance Act, 1994, and the Health Insurance Regulations, 1996, provide the regulatory framework for the operation of a competitive private health insurance market in Ireland. The legislation requires all insurers offering health insurance to comply with the principles of community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover.
The Health Insurance Act, 1994 (Minimum Benefit) Regulations, 1996, require health insurers to provide a minimum level of cover under each policy. In specifying minimum levels of cover which insurers are obliged to provide, the regulatory arrangements leave scope for commercial negotiation between insurers and private service providers. In addition, these regulations also recognise that insurers should be in a position to determine which service providers are to supply services to members on their behalf.
With regard to the Voluntary Health Insurance Board, in addition to the generally applicable health insurance regulatory framework, section 2 of the VHI (Amendment) Act, 1996, sets out the statutory position concerning the making of arrangements between VHI and service providers. This gives the board explicit powers in relation to entering into, or refusing to enter into, agreements with health service providers for the treatment and care of its members. The Minister has no function in this area under the Act.