Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
686. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the difficulties that retired GPs have to renew their medical insurance when they are offering to provide cover for GPs in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35000/23]
View answerGPs are private practitioners, as such GPs arrange professional indemnity insurance from private medical indemnity providers. This is an arrangement between the two private parties in which the Minister for Health has no role.
The State indemnifies enterprises on behalf of the Minister for Health under the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) when national policy confirms that this should be provided. As private practitioners, GPs, and the services provided by them and by GP practice nurses, are not covered by the CIS.
Most GPs hold a GMS contract with the HSE for the provision of healthcare services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on an annual capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service and some consultation types. Under the GMS scheme a significant contribution is also made towards participating GPs' medical indemnity insurance costs. GPs with a GMS panel of 100 patients or more can apply to the for a partial refund, based on panel size, of their net indemnity insurance cost.
