Vol. 542 No. 4
139 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a scheme or assistance available to help people who are faced with medical and travel bills due to medical visitations abroad in respect of private insurance claims they are pursuing; if help is available on a short-term basis; if it is normal for legal representation to be provided as part of such expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24660/01]
Under arrangements for public hospital services introduced in June 1991, everyone, regardless of income, is entitled to public hospital and public consultant services subject only to modest statutory charges, from which medical card holders are exempt. At present these charges are set at £26 per night, subject to a maximum of £260 in any 12-month period, in respect of in-patient public hospital services.
Alternatively, one can opt to be the private patient of both the consultant and the hospital. Any patient, whether a medical card holder, who opts for treatment in a private hospital or as a private patient in a public hospital is liable for the costs relating to such treatment.
Under the Health Act, 1970, the determination of eligibility for health services is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board, and neither I nor my Department has a function in the matter. I add that health boards have discretion, in cases of exceptional need, to provide assistance to individuals where undue hardship would otherwise be caused.
