Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2020
214. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to reports of the requirement of Covid-19 screening of patients for scheduled procedures amounting to hundreds of Euro that is not being covered by health insurance; his views on such reports; if he has raised Covid-19 screening costs with insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25877/20]
View answerIn relation to the COVID-19 screening tests; the HSE has developed guidance for the management of planned hospital admissions for non-COVID care which sets out advisory testing strategies for hospital patients. This guidance seeks to provide an advisory framework for mitigating risks associated with the delivery of non-COVID care while COVID-19 continues to be prevalent, and testing provides one of a number of measures that can be taken to reduce risk. As with any procedure or test, there will be a cost. As Minister for Health, I do not have any responsibility for private hospitals, including in relation to charges that they apply to their patients. Additionally, I cannot direct health insurers in how they provide their products and services, or indeed how they choose to reimburse their customers for costs relating to healthcare procedures. Private health insurers operate in a highly competitive market and I cannot interfere in the operation of that market.However, it is my understanding that the three main health insurers have reached agreement with the majority of private hospital facilities regarding charges for pre-admission COVID-19 testing, while continuing to work with those providers who they have not yet finalised agreements with. The aim is to ensure agreements are in place so that health insurance customers will not be charged at point of entry for pre-admission COVID tests.
