Addiction Treatment Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019

Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Questions (170)

Declan Breathnach

Question:

170. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by a private health provider (details supplied) for addiction services in receiving recognition for the services it provides and in receiving fair and reasonable payment for the services it provides; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these problems were highlighted by the Health Insurance Authority in a 2007 report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21000/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Health insurance companies operate in a competitive market and are free to impose certain terms and conditions in their policies, provided they comply with the Minimum Benefit Regulations. As Minister for Health, I do not have a role in instructing any insurer to provide benefits beyond those required by the regulations, nor do I have a role in the commercial decisions of any health insurer. The position of the independent regulator, the Health Insurance Authority, is that this matter is most appropriately dealt with in discussion and negotiations directly between the clinic concerned and health insurance companies.