Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Jun 2001

Vol. 537 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Charges.

Billy Timmins

Question:

377 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding payment of hospital fees for a welfare recipient who is hospitalised for a period of more than 30 days; if the welfare income is taken from the beneficiary; the situation regarding old age pensioners in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17263/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Under the Health (Amendment) Act, 1991, everyone, regardless of income, is eligible for in-patient services subject to statutory charges. These services may be provided directly by the health board in one of its own hospitals, or in another publicly funded hospital, or by way of a contracting out arrangement between the health board and a private institution. Alternatively, one can opt for private treatment; all persons, including medical card holders, who opt for private treatment are liable for any expenses they incur.

Charges can be made under two sets of regulations in respect of long-stay or extended care. They can be made under the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) Regulations, 1976, as amended by the Health (Charges for In-Patient Services) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987. These regulations enable charges to be made towards the cost of providing hospital in-patient services for persons with income who have been in receipt of such services for more than 30 days or for periods totalling more than 30 days within the previous 12 months. Medical card holders and persons with dependants are exempt from these charges. In practice, however, persons in health board long stay care do not usually hold medical cards as the board meets the cost of all of the person's health needs and, thus, the person ceases to qualify for a medical card in accordance with criteria laid down in section 45 of the Health Act, 1970.

Charges may also be made under the Institutional Assistance Regulations, 1965, where the patient receives "shelter and maintenance" rather than treatment. These charges apply from the date of admission and are payable by all patients who are in receipt of incomes, including medical card holders and persons with dependants.

In deciding the amount to be contributed, health boards have regard to the person's individual circumstances. Allowance is made for any financial commitments the person may have and a reasonable amount is left to meet the person's personal needs. Charges may be waived if, in the opinion of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, payment would cause undue hardship.