Finian McGrath
Question:311 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an MRI scan in Spain is six times cheaper than here. [14331/03]
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Public patients who avail of public hospital services are not charged for MRI scans. A public hospital charge for MRI services is payable by the following: private out-patients, under the Health Services (Out-Patient) Regulations 1993, and private in-patients, under section 55 of the Health Act 1970, as amended by section 6 of the Health (Amendment) Act 1991.
I have approved the charging of an appropriate charge by public hospitals for MRI scans subject to a maximum of €400. The level of charge foreseen is intended to reflect the economic cost of the MRI with all the attendant skills and infrastructure required to provide this element of service. I am not aware of the policy and service context for MRI charging in Spain. This could well have an impact on the cost of an MRI to patients in Spain.