Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2011
257 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been paid in capitation fees on an annual basis since 2007 to general practitioners under the primary care reimbursement service, also know as the GMS, for patients who were deceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29245/11]
View answer265 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the measures that have been put in place to ensure general practitioners are not paid capitation fees under the primary care reimbursement service for patients who are deceased; the measures in place to recoup overpayments; the amount that has been recouped on an annual basis since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29253/11]
View answer266 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will consider compelling general practitioners to report to the primary care reimbursement service the death of a patient for whom they receive capitation payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29254/11]
View answer267 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health, given that it was reported in May 2010 that over €5 million had been overpaid to general practitioners from January 2009 to May 2010 (details supplied) for patients who were deceased to practitioners under the primary care reimbursement service, if he will detail the amount of these payments that have been reimbursed to the Health Service Executive, and if not, why not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29255/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 265 to 267, inclusive, together.
The overpayments/underpayments issue and improved audit and scrutiny measures will be considered as part of this process. There will be a full consultation process with relevant stakeholders. I will oversee the work of the officials, in consultation with the Minister for Health. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to address the other aspects of the Deputy's questions, which include information which is not provided by the HSE to my Department as a matter of routine, and I will convey this information to the Deputy as soon as I have received it.
